Metals

NIST is working to strengthen the domestic metals supply chain by advancing measurement science, materials solutions, and process understanding. This includes research on impurity-tolerant alloy design and efficient production pathways. By addressing the challenges involved with reinserting end-of-life products back into the materials cycle, NIST supports industry in advancing a more circular and resilient metals supply chain.

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Research Activities

Circular Steel Pathways 

NIST is advancing the foundation for a more efficient and secure domestic metals supply chain. As demand for metals continues to outpace available high-quality scrap, innovations in both primary and secondary processing are needed. NIST is developing measurement science, materials solutions, and process understanding to enable more efficient production pathways, including advancements in direct reduction of iron ores and impurity control. Through technical leadership and stakeholder engagement, this work aims to strengthen domestic capabilities for a resilient metals supply chain. Read more. Contact: Andrew Iams.

Impurity-Tolerant Alloy Design 

The increasing global demand for structural alloys, such as steel and aluminum, has fostered an increase in the use of scrap to reduce cost and energy consumption. This shift creates an inherent challenge of potential contamination introduced with recycled metals. Impurities are known to promote the formation of deleterious secondary phases during processing that adversely affect ductility, formability, and corrosion resistance.  This research integrates advanced characterization methods to evaluate the role of the impurities on the material performance with computational-based microstructure evolution models to design new impurity-tolerant alloys. Contacts: Mark Stoudt and James Zuback.

Related NIST Workshops

Visit the Workshops page to learn about NIST workshops relevant to metal circularity.

Tools & Capabilities

NIST experimental capabilities and tools relevant to metals circularity are described on the Tools & Capabilities page.