Morphology Of Deposits Research Articles

Combined effect of cathodic potential and calcareous deposits on hydrogen evolution and permeation in Q460 steel

Cathodic protection is widely employed to prevent the corrosion of steel in marine environments. However, an inappropriate cathodic potential may lead to the generation of hydrogen and consequently induce cracking. Therefore, this study investigates the relationships between cathodic deposition potential, calcareous deposits, hydrogen evolution, and hydrogen permeation. Combining scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, coupled focused ion beam lithography, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, it is observed that all calcareous deposits formed in artificial seawater at the potential range of −1.0 to −1.3 VSCE have calcium-rich inner and magnesium-rich outer layers, respectively. The thickness and compactness of each layer of the double-layer deposits vary with the cathodic deposition potential. Combining potentiodynamic polarization, hydrogen permeation experiments, and the morphology of calcareous deposits, we can find that the deposits formed at the cathodic deposition potential of −1.1 VSCE exhibit a thin inner layer and a condensed outer layer, which is effective in balancing hydrogen recombination and absorption, thus, inhibiting hydrogen entry. This study provides guidelines for the cathodic protection of steel materials in marine environments.

Regulating ion transport in lithium metal batteries via metal‐organic frameworks electrolyte modulator

AbstractLow Li+ transference number in liquid electrolytes can lead to uneven lithium deposition and dendrite growth, reducing coulombic efficiency and cycle life of lithium metal batteries. In this study, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are used as electrolyte modulator to regulate Li+ transport. The ‐NH2 group introduced into MOFs can form hydrogen bonds with anions in the electrolyte, immobilizing these anions and thereby facilitating the migration of cations. As a result, a uniform and dense deposition morphology of lithium was achieved. The Li+ transference number is increased from 0.26 to 0.57. The assembled Li||Li symmetrical cell can stably cycle for over for 900 h with an average overpotential below 20 mV. In addition, the rate performance of the battery can be enhanced.

An ultrathin and robust single-ion conducting interfacial layer for dendrite-free lithium metal batteries

The practical application of rechargeable lithium metal batteries (LMBs) encounters significant challenges due to the notorious dendrite growth triggered by uneven Li deposition behaviors. In this work, a mechanically robust and single-ion-conducting interfacial layer, fulfilled by the strategic integration of flexible cellulose acetate (CA) matrix with rigid graphene oxide (GO) and LiF fillers (termed the CGL layer), is rationally devised to serve as a stabilizer for dendrite-free lithium (Li) metal batteries. The GCL film exhibits favorable mechanical properties with high modulus and flexibility that help to relieve interface fluctuations. More crucially, the electron-donating carbonyl groups (C=O) enriched in GCL foster a strengthened correlation with Li+, which availably aids the Li+ desolvation process and expedites facile Li+ mobility, yielding exceptional Li+ transference number of 0.87. Such single-ion conductive properties regulate rapid and uniform interfacial transport kinetics, mitigating the growth of Li dendrites and the decomposition of electrolytes. Consequently, stable Li anode with prolonged cycle stabilities and flat deposition morphologies are realized. The Li||LiFePO4 full cells with CGL protective layer render an outstanding cycling capability of 500 cycles at 3 C, and an ultrahigh capacity retention of 99.99% for over 220 cycles even under harsh conditions. This work affords valuable insights into the interfacial regulation for achieving high-performance LMBs.

Effects of solid electrolyte particle size and silver-carbon interlayer on lithium deposition in all-solid-state lithium-metal batteries

All-solid-state batteries with lithium-metal anodes are expected to exhibit high performance. For practical application, the growth of lithium dendrites must be suppressed. One method to suppress dendrite growth is to insert a carbon interlayer at the interface between the anode and solid electrolyte (SE). Dendrite growth is related to the anode interface properties and depends on the SE particle size used in the SE layer. Appropriate control of the SE particle size used at the anode interface can improve battery performance. In this study, the effects of SE particle size and carbon interlayer type on lithium-metal deposition morphology are investigated by X-ray CT measurement. The results show that dendrite growth is suppressed when the small-particle SE is used owing to the smaller pores between the SE layer and carbon interlayer. In addition, by controlling the SE particle size distribution using a double SE layer, both high ionic conductivity and dendrite suppression can be achieved. Furthermore, dendrite growth can be suppressed using a silver particle-added carbon interlayer, even with the large-particle SE where dendrites are prone to grow more easily.

Modeling of deposition morphology and characteristic dimensions in material extrusion additive manufacturing

Developing prediction models for deposition strand morphology is critical in Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing (MEAM) to optimize processes and guide innovative deposition strategies, while advancing our understanding of the flow mechanics during the deposition process.This study aimed to develop an accurate, rapid, and calibration-free model for predicting deposition strand morphology, height, and width. The relationship between the flow field constraints downstream of the nozzle and the deposition morphology was analyzed. By solving the flow front boundary in the region covered by the nozzle, a model for predicting the deposition height and width under constrained conditions was developed. Moreover, a quantitative method for predicting morphological features was offered. The established model is validated through fused deposition modeling (FDM) single-layer single-path experiments, demonstrating superior accuracy. An in-depth analysis of the model errors resulting from the assumptions in the model has been carried out.This work provided deeper insights by modeling the flow front boundary, which helps to understand the distribution of pressure flow and drag flow during the deposition process. The established model has better application potential due to its advantage of not requiring prior calibration of the machine.

Simultaneous regulation on solvation shell and electrode interface for sustainable zinc-based flow batteries

The practical implementation of Zn-based flow batteries encounters the challenges associated with uneven deposition of Zn ions and undesirable side reactions. Here, a hybrid Zn-based electrolyte system composed of ZnBr2, ethylene glycol (EG), H2O and potassium gluconate (KGlu) is developed as anolyte to modulate the solvation structure and interface engineering for a sustainable Zn-based flow battery. The EG molecules could exclude water molecules outside the solvation structure, inhibiting the water-induced side reactions and Zn corrosion. Moreover, the incorporation of potassium gluconate constructs an artificial stable anionic interface for dendrite-free Zn deposition. Chemical stability and hydrogen evolution potential tests demonstrate that the activity of water molecules could be suppressed in the EG-containing hybrid electrolyte. Deposition morphologies and Zn//Zn symmetric flow battery tests also reveal that gluconate anions preferentially adsorbed on zinc anode could effectively facilitate uniform zinc deposition. As a result, the Zn-based flow battery with the proposed hybrid electrolyte delivers a stable cycling performance over 200 cycles and high reversibility with an average CE of over 97.4 % at 20 mA cm−2, exhibiting a peak power density of 103.2 mW cm−2. This work provides a universal electrolyte design strategy for realizing a sustainable Zn-based flow battery.

Experimental study on the scaling law of the heat exchange tube surface in the process of low-temperature single-effect distillation of high-mineralized mine water

High-mineralized mine water, due to its characteristics such as high mineralization degree, will have scaling phenomena on the surface of the heat exchange tube during the desalination treatment process, resulting in a reduction in the water production efficiency of the equipment and affecting the normal operation. To reduce the cost of water production and improve the service life of distillation equipment, this paper independently designs and builds a low-temperature single-effect distillation high-mineralized mine water experimental system to study the influence of operating parameters (temperature, spray density, concentration ratio, and system pressure) on the scaling law on the surface of the heat exchange tube. The distribution and characteristics of scale deposits on the surface of the heat exchange tube are analyzed through the growth rate and microscopic morphology of the scale deposit. The results indicate that the scaling on the surface of the titanium plate is mainly in the needle-like and rod-like morphology of CaCO3 aragonite, and a small amount of CaSO4 and calcite are generated with the increase of temperature. It was found that within the range of spray density from 0.0509 kg/(m·s) to 0.0625 kg/(m·s), concentration ratio from 2.3 to 2.7, and system pressure at 36.3 kPa, it is beneficial to the evaporation heat transfer of the heat exchange tube and the reduction of scaling generation. At the same time, it is found that the scaling of the first row of heat exchange tubes is mainly within the range of circumferential angle from 0 to 100 degrees, and the scaling of the second row and the third row of heat exchange tubes is mainly within the range of circumferential angle from 110 to 170 degrees. The research results of this paper provide support for the design and operation of the low-temperature multi-effect treatment system for mine water in engineering, promote the process of zero discharge of high-mineralized mine water in Xinjiang, China, and improve the resource utilization rate of high-mineralized mine water.

Interfacial Biomacromolecular Engineering Toward Stable Ah-Level Aqueous Zinc Batteries.

Interfacial instability within aqueous zinc batteries (AZBs) spurs technical obstacles including parasitic side reactions and dendrite failure to reach the practical application standards. Here, an interfacial engineering is showcased by employing a bio- derived zincophilic macromolecule as the electrolyte additive (0.037 wt%), which features a long-chain configuration with laterally distributed hydroxyl and sulfate anion groups, and has the propensity to remodel the electric double layer of Zn anodes. Tailored Zn2+-rich compact layer is the result of their adaptive adsorption that effectively homogenizes the interfacial concentration field, while enabling a hybrid nucleation and growth mode characterized as nuclei-rich and space-confined dense plating. Further resonated with curbed corrosion and by-products, a dendrite-free deposition morphology is achieved. Consequently, the macromolecule-modified zinc anode delivers over 1250 times of reversible plating/stripping at a practical area capacity of 5 mAh cm-2, as well as a high zinc utilization rate of 85%. The Zn//NH4V4O10 pouch cell with the maximum capacity of 1.02 Ah can be steadily operated at 71.4mA g-1 (0.25 C) with 98.7% capacity retained after 50 cycles, which demonstrates the scale-up capability and highlights a "low input and high return" interfacial strategy toward practical AZBs.

Electron‐Deficient Sites Constructed by Boron Doping Induce Homogenous Zn Deposition in Alkaline Zinc–Iron Flow Batteries

AbstractAlkaline zinc‐iron flow batteries (ZFBs) have recently attracted renewed attention. However, the critical issues with zinc anodes, such as dendrite formation, side reactions, and labile plating or stripping, have yet to be adequately addressed. Here, an attempt is made to overcome these challenges by designing Boron‐doped carbon‐felt (B–CF) electrodes rich in electron‐deficient sites and defects. The fabricated B–CF provides improved adsorption of negatively charged Zn(OH)42−, robust Zn nucleation sites, and lower Zn nucleation and deposition overpotentials, leading to homogeneous Zn deposition morphology. Uniform Zn deposition enables the prevention of undesirable dendrite growth and parasitic reactions. As a result, the constructed alkaline ZFBs achieve a high average Coulombic efficiency of ≈99.85% and energy efficiency of 88% with uniform Zn deposition during 300 cycles (40 mA cm−2). This work expands the understanding of the electrode design strategy for achieving favorable Zn plating/stripping.

Numerical simulation of ash deposition behavior in radiant syngas cooler coupled with impact surface temperature

Radiant syngas cooler (RSC) is a crucial heat recovery device for entrained-flow coal gasification technology. However, ash deposition in an RSC can severely affect operating efficiency and safety. An ash deposition model coupled with the impact surface temperature was established based on the ash particle deposition morphology. The effects of different operating conditions on ash deposition characteristics are discussed. The simulated data agreed well with the industrial data. The results indicate that ash particles were primarily deposited in the collision deposition zone. The maximum deposition thickness of radiation screen and cylinder membrane wall is 9.82 mm and 1.88 mm, respectively. The ash deposition hindered heat transfer process and the highest heat flux was observed in the middle part of the RSC. Ash deposition around 5.3 m increases significantly with an increase in the inlet syngas temperature. Increasing the load increased probability of ash particle collision and the area of influence.

Controlling Spatial Morphology of Microparticle Deposits via Thermocapillary Flows: Effect of Boundary Geometry.

The production of particle deposits with a desired distribution geometry has significant potential for materials science, printing, and coating technologies. Most methods for achieving well-defined assemblies rely on the spontaneous evaporation of colloidal solutions on substrates with predetermined properties, or on precise control of particle arrangement by external stimuli. Here, we present a combined method that enables the production of centimeter-scale microparticle deposits with a desired geometric shape. The method is based on controlling the massive transport of microparticles by thermocapillary flow in a layer of volatile liquid in a cell with borders of the desired geometry. Capillary forces cause the liquid to be distributed in the cell, forming corner wetting menisci and the flat layer in the central area. The formation of particle deposits occurs in two stages, determined by the flow regime. At the initial stage, the axisymmetric thermocapillary flow occurs in the flat part of the layer, resulting in the circular shape of the particle deposit. During the transition to the second stage of assembling thermocapillary flow is localized in the corner wetting menisci that results in reshaping the current particle deposit to match the geometry of the cell borders. Here, we demonstrated the creation of circular, square, and triangular shapes of the patterns of polystyrene microparticles using a point heater located at the geometric center of the cell. The proposed method is reliable, easy to implement, and potentially capable of producing a wide variety of deposit geometries, making it an attractive technique for patterning and modifying surface properties with particles of any type.

Architecture and depositional processes of a submarine channel during the late Miocene in the Yinggehai basin, northwestern South China Sea

Submarine channels are the most extensive sediment transport systems on Earth. They transport sediment over hundreds of kilometers and form sediment deposits in the deep-sea, which can act as hydrocarbon reservoirs. During the Late Miocene, a sinuous submarine channel with sediment processes was discovered in the Yinggehai Basin, northwestern South China Sea. However, process interpretations of the factors that influence the stacking patterns, distribution, and morphology of these sinuous channel deposits in this region are not well understood. Based on the interpretation of high-resolution 3D seismic data and exploration well data, and insights from flow dynamics, we analyzed the factors influencing channel morphology, the architecture of the channel, and its associated geomorphic evolution. The channel can be divided into three sections (Sections Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ) in terms of its planform, and into two seismic units (Unit 1 and Unit 2) in terms of its vertical structure. The sinuous submarine channel originated from a combination of inherent structural features from secondary faults and strong erosion from turbidity currents, which occurred due to a sharp decline in sea level during the Late Miocene. Changes in the channel's orientation led to erosion and channel-margin failures, causing an increase in channel width and a decrease in margin gradient. The distribution and stacking patterns of the deposits are greatly influenced by the provenance, sea level changes, and the morphology of the channel. In Sections Ⅰ and Ⅲ, a river-like secondary flow with a limited lateral density gradient leads to vertical deposits. In Section Ⅱ, changes in the channel's orientation altered its morphology and induced topographic forcing, producing a strong river-like secondary flow. This flow consistently caused sediment to accumulate on the inner bank and erode on the outer bank, leading to lateral stacking of deposits in Unit 2. During the filling of Unit 2, diapiric activity uplifted the strata, resulting in thinner deposition in Section Ⅲ, while deposition thickness increased in Section Ⅱ with sufficient provenance. Unit 1 of Section Ⅲ displays desirable properties for a hydrocarbon reservoir, including thick sandstone with good sorting and roundness. This study provides valuable insights into the diverse architectures of spatially and temporally linked submarine channels, and establishes a correlation between the evolutionary process of the channel and the stacking patterns of its constituent elements.

Colloidal deposits from evaporating sessile droplets: Coffee ring versus surface capture

Suppression of the coffee ring effect is desirable in many industrial applications which utilize colloidal deposition from an evaporating liquid. Here we focus on the role of particle arrest at the liquid-air interface (surface capture) which occurs at high evaporation rates. It is known experimentally that this phenomenon inhibits particles from reaching the contact line, leading to a deposit which is closer to uniform. We are able to describe this effect using a simple 1D modeling framework and, utilizing asymptotic theory, parametrize our model by the ratio of the vertical advection and diffusion timescales. We show that our model is consistent with existing frameworks for small values of this parameter, but also predicts the surface layer formation seen experimentally at high evaporation rates. The formation of a surface layer leads to a deposit morphology which mimics the evaporative flux density and so is closest to uniform when evaporation has a constant strength across the liquid-air interface. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Controlling polydopamine deposition morphology on the surface of poly(vinylidene fluoride) microfiltration membranes for improved oil-water filtration performance

Herein, we studied the effect of adding into water-dopamine mixture a small amount of the fourth generation of bis-MPA based Boltorn™ hyperbranched polyol polyester (H40) or inorganic nanolayered compound MXene on the development of polydopamine (PDA) coating morphology on the surface of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) microfiltration membranes targeting to further enhance their oil fouling resistance and oil-in-water (O/W) filtration performance. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), and Water Contact Angle (WCA) techniques were used for characterization of the modified surfaces. The pure water and (O/W) tight emulsion filtration testing was conducted using a custom-made dead-end filtration setup. It was shown that in the case of dopamine only treatment, the formed on the surface PDA coating largely showed a planar, homogeneous growth which tended to envelope not only the membrane surface irregularities but also the pores thus greatly reducing their size and compromising the permeate flux despite significantly improved surface hydrophilicity. Adding either MXene or H40 into water-dopamine mixture rendered a beneficial effect on the membrane oil fouling resistance and permeation/filtration characteristics. The most spectacular, a hitherto not reported effect was observed after adding into water-dopamine mixture the H40 polymer. In contrast to the planar PDA deposition, the coating morphology in this case consisted of fused together tiny PDA clumps. The ‘clumpy’ PDA coating made less pore blockage and the membranes demonstrated many times greater flux either for pure water or emulsion permeate than after using dopamine only or dopamine with MXene treatments while continued to exhibit oleophobic behavior and high resistance to oil fouling over multiple filtration cycles. The potential nucleating role of this hyperbranched polymer in the development of the PDA clumps is discussed.

Regulate the Solvation Structure and Interface by Nitrate in Phosphate-Based Electrolytes for 4.5V-Class Ni-Rich Batteries.

Phosphate-based electrolyte propels the advanced battery system with high safety. Unfortunately, restricted by poor electrochemical stability, it is difficult to be compatible with advanced lithium metal anodes and Ni-rich cathodes. To alleviate these issues, the study has developed a phosphate-based localized high-concentration electrolyte with a nitrate-driven solvation structure, and the nitrate-derived N-rich inorganic interface shows excellent performance in stabilizing the LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) cathode interface and modulating the lithium deposition morphology on the anode. The results show that the Li|| NCM811 cell has exceptional long-cycle stability of >80% capacity retention after 800 cycles at 4.3V, 1 C. A more prominent capacity retention rate of 93.3% after 200 cycles can be reached with the high voltage of 4.5V. While being compatible with the phosphate-based electrolyte with good flame retardancy and the good electrochemical stability of Ni-rich lithium metal battery (LMBs) systems, the present work expands the construction of anion-rich solvation structures, which is expected to promote the development of the high-performance LMBs with safety.

Effect of laser oscillation mode on LWAM deposition morphology and melting pool fluctuation

To investigate the impact of laser beam oscillation on melting pool fluctuation and deposition morphology during laser wire additive manufacturing, we observed transient melting pool fluctuations and measured the 3D deposition morphology. The study revealed that periodic beam oscillation enhances solution stirring, resulting in pronounced fluctuations in the melting pool and reduced roughness of the deposited surface. Furthermore, it was found that different laser oscillation modes resulted in different deposition morphologies. The shape of the melting pool is influenced by energy distribution characteristics, while the movement path of the spot determines this distribution. Moreover, the addition of beam oscillations effectively disperses the energy of the laser heat source, thereby mitigating the protrusion of the molten pool bottom.

The Dynamics of CO2‐Driven Granular Flows in Gullies on Mars

AbstractMartian gullies are landforms consisting of an erosional alcove, a channel, and a depositional apron. A significant proportion of Martian gullies at the mid‐latitudes is active today. The seasonal sublimation of CO2 ice has been suggested as a driver behind present‐day gully activity. However, due to a lack of in situ observations, the actual processes causing the observed changes remain unresolved. Here, we present results from flume experiments in environmental chambers in which we created CO2‐driven granular flows under Martian atmospheric conditions. Our experiments show that under Martian atmospheric pressure, large amounts of granular material can be fluidized by the sublimation of small quantities of CO2 ice in the granular mixture (only 0.5% of the volume fraction of the flow) under slope angles as low as 10°. Dimensionless scaling of the CO2‐driven granular flows shows that they are dynamically similar to terrestrial two‐phase granular flows, that is, debris flows and pyroclastic flows. The similarity in flow dynamics explains the similarity in deposit morphology with levees and lobes, supporting the hypothesis that CO2‐driven granular flows on Mars are not merely modifying older landforms, but they are actively forming them. This has far‐reaching implications for the processes thought to have formed these gullies over time. For other planetary bodies in our solar system, our experimental results suggest that the existence of gully like landforms is not necessarily evidence for flowing liquids but that they could also be formed or modified by sublimation‐driven flow processes.

Volcanic Flank Collapse, Secondary Sediment Failure and Flow‐Transition: Multi‐Stage Landslide Emplacement Offshore Montserrat, Lesser Antilles

AbstractVolcanic flank collapses, especially those in island settings, have generated some of the most voluminous mass transport deposits on Earth and can trigger devastating tsunamis. Reliable tsunami hazard assessments for flank collapse‐driven tsunamis require an understanding of the complex emplacement processes involved. The seafloor sequence southeast of Montserrat (Lesser Antilles) is a key site for the study of volcanic flank collapse emplacement processes that span subaerial to submarine environments. Here, we present new 2D and 3D seismic data as well as MeBo drill core data from one of the most extensive mass transport deposits offshore Montserrat, which exemplifies multi‐phase landslide deposition from volcanic islands. The deposits reveal emplacement in multiple stages including two blocky volcanic debris avalanches, secondary seafloor failure and a late‐stage erosive density current that carved channel‐like incisions into the hummocky surface of the deposit about 15 km from the source region. The highly erosive density current potentially originated from downslope‐acceleration of fine‐grained material that was suspended in the water column earlier during the slide. Late‐stage erosive turbidity currents may be a more common process following volcanic sector collapse than has been previously recognized, exerting a potentially important control on the observed deposit morphology as well as on the runout and the overall shape of the deposit.

Controlling silver deposition morphology on aluminum surfaces: Surfactant modify anisotropy of aluminum surface energy

Faced with the challenge of uncontrollable Ag layer deposition morphology during the preparation of silver-coated aluminum particles (Al/Ag). A simple and nontoxic method involving the introduction of surfactants (PEG, PVP, and gelatin (GEL)) to alter the anisotropy of Al surface energy was proposed to achieve control over Ag deposition morphology. Theoretical calculations indicate that PEG undergoes physisorption to Al, while PVP and GEL can alter the surface energy of specific crystal planes by selectively binding to different crystal facets. This action alters the growth habit of Ag on the Al surface and modulates the Ag deposition behavior, these conclusions align with experimental results. Compared with PEG and PVP, the incorporation of GEL was beneficial for the formation of a conformal Ag layer. This can be attributed to GEL preferentially passivating the highest crystal plane Al (110) surface, forming a buffer layer at the solid-liquid interface, leveling out the Ag deposition rate on various crystal planes, and also effectively inhibiting side reactions, in addition to enhancing the wettability of reaction solution. The Al/Ag particle exhibits excellent electrical conductivity (1.03 × 10−6 Ω·cm) and electromagnetic absorption (−32.5 dB, 1.62 GHz), it is suitable for use as a highly conductive electromagnetic shielding material.

Combination of MSC Marc and SE-FIT to simulate the direct laser deposition of the multi-layer Ti–6Al–4V

Modeling the impact of a laser heat source on Ti6Al4V deposition is crucial for optimizing additive manufacturing, particularly in multi-layer contexts. This modeling provides insights into the material’s behavior during the Ti6Al4V manufacturing process. In this study, simulations using MSC Marc were conducted to model the impact of a laser heat source on the deposition of the multi-layer Ti–6Al–4V (abbreviated as Ti6Al4V) using the Ti–6Al–4V metal powder, followed by SE-FIT simulation to characterize their deposition morphology. MSC Marc was utilized to simulate the impact of a laser heat source on the Ti6Al4V, with a focus on identifying the melting area. Thermal conductivity was represented in the form of a chart as a function of temperature. Next, the morphology after deposition was defined using SE-FIT based on volume and boundaries. In the MSC Marc numerical model, a combined heat transfer coefficient of radiation and convection was applied to the convective coefficient. In the section depicting the multi-layered deposition morphology, a laser with 750[Formula: see text]W power was utilized at a speed of 3.3[Formula: see text]mm/s. After simulation, the resulting layer height and appearance were compared with the literature for a 25-layer composite. The practical implications of this research extend to the broader field of laser-induced heat deposition on Ti6Al4V deposition, which has applications beyond titanium alloys. The findings may contribute to advancements in the design and manufacturing of various metal components, impacting industries such as automotive, electronics and energy.