title = "Overview of Metal Types Used in Production"

content = """
Ridgecrest Metalworks processes a diverse range of metals and alloys to serve customers across the
aerospace, defense, energy, and industrial equipment sectors. Understanding the general categories of
metals in use — and their fundamental differences — is foundational for production personnel working
with material selection, handling, processing, and quality control.

Metals are broadly classified into two categories:

Ferrous metals contain iron as their primary element. Carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, and
cast iron are all ferrous metals. Ferrous metals are generally characterized by high strength, magnetic
properties (with the exception of austenitic stainless steels), and susceptibility to rust and corrosion
unless protected or alloyed with corrosion-resistant elements. They are the most widely used category
on the Ridgecrest floor, appearing in structural components, forgings, castings, and machined parts.

Non-ferrous metals contain no significant iron content. This category includes aluminum, copper, brass,
bronze, titanium, nickel alloys, and magnesium. Non-ferrous metals are often selected for their corrosion
resistance, low weight, high conductivity, or superior performance at extreme temperatures. Aluminum
and copper alloys are the most frequently processed non-ferrous materials at Ridgecrest.

Within each category, metals are further distinguished by their specific alloy composition and heat
treatment condition (temper). Two pieces of steel with the same visual appearance may have dramatically
different properties depending on their alloy grade and processing history. This is why material
identification and heat traceability are critical — processing the wrong alloy grade can produce parts
that meet dimensional requirements but fail in service.

Special-purpose materials occasionally processed at Ridgecrest include:
- High-temperature superalloys (nickel and cobalt base) for energy and aerospace components
- Titanium alloys for aerospace and medical applications
- Tool steels for die and tooling manufacturing

Each metal type has specific requirements for cutting speed, feed rate, coolant type, heat treatment,
and surface finishing. Process engineers maintain material-specific machining and processing parameters
in the facility's work instruction library, which must be consulted before processing any new material
or alloy not previously run at the facility.
"""

version = "0.0.1"
