IFHTSE Global 21: heat treatment and surface engineering in the twenty-first century

Abstract

Continuing the author’s efforts to outline the possible changes in surface engineering in the next decades, the present trends in materials science are analysed. The criteria considered in this analysis are connected to the imperatives of sustainable development, energy and environment. A comparison between the applications of new, non-conventional materials and those of ‘classical’ ones leads to the conclusion that for the next 20–30 years the most efficient way to preserve our ‘global assets’ is to reduce the specific materials and energy consumption by increased performance and more rational orientation in demand. Surface engineering is an efficient way to approach this target as it helps to find optimum combination between the bulk and surface properties. A brief analysis of the wide-spread and emerging surface engineering technologies helps to outline what reasonably may be expected in the next 25–30 years in the related field. The importance of more ‘common’ engineering solutions is emphasised. As a conclusion the increasing role of surface engineering is shown considering, however, the reorientation imposed by the rapid progress in materials science and the possible combinations of new and ‘more conventional’ applications. The paper is the third in a series of articles approaching the role and changes in surface engineering at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

Keywords:

• Surface engineering
• Definition
• Classification
• IFHTSE

The author of the paper should express his gratitude to Mr Robert (Bob) Wood, the General Secretary of the IFHTSE for his valuable contribution to both the content and the editing of the paper.