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STRESS RELIEF
A D V A N C E D
M A T E R I A L S
&
P R O C E S S E S |
N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R
2 0 1 6
POETRY BOOK PUTS THE PEDAL TO THE METAL
A new book of poetry coauthored by an ASM Fellow provides a playful glimpse
into the complex field of automotive materials. “What’s in Your Car: A Poetic
Ride Through the Periodic Table,” by Paul E. Krajewski,
FASM, and Matthew N. Topper uses a combina-
tion of catchy poems and interesting pictures to
explore how elements of the periodic table are
used to make a car. Thirty-one elements are shown
with images of the raw materials and their applica-
tion within a vehicle. Materials are described with
simple poems that can serve as a starting point for
deeper exploration into the world of materials and
automobiles. The book aims to appeal to children of
all ages as they learn how different materials come
together to create today’s automobiles. Included here
are a few excerpts.
“What’s in Your Car,” by Paul E. Krajewski
and Matthew N. Topper.
Introduction
The elements are bricks that
construct all things,
Frommagnificent buildings to
diamond rings.
They give objects properties, and
each one has a role
That can make it unique, or part
of the whole.
Shiny or light, heavy or strong,
Conductive or bright, you can’t go wrong.
This book tells the story of what’s in a car.
From aluminum to zinc, they help you
drive far.
So buckle your belt and adjust your view.
Here’s a book about elements in a car
just for you.
Aluminum
We use aluminum almost every day,
But I’ll bet you didn’t know it
could be used this way.
Aluminum is applied all over the car;
You could say it’s a lightweight superstar.
Wheels are forged and engines cast,
Making cars that are both cool and fast.
Aluminum’s surface refuses to rust,
It’s a metal for hoods that
engineers trust.
Molybdenum
Molybdenum’s a tongue twister,
an out-and-out folly,
So most people just use its
nickname, moly.
Adding it to steel is an absolute must,
To make that material more
resistant to rust.
Moly and sulfur create a slick actor,
Making lubes and greases
for your car or tractor.
Vanadium
Vanadium is found in many
a mineral and deposit.
The Model T could not have
been made without it.
Vanadiummakes steel
wear resistant and strong,
Creating axles and crankshafts
that can last long.
It also helps make battery acid and more,
like the performance valve
material Titanium 64.
Aluminumwas once viewed as more
precious than gold and silver.
Molybdenum is used as a fertilizer for
cauliflower and broccoli.
Vanadium is found in ocean algae.