This paper addresses the needs of new and mature materials engineers who do not belong to alarge group such as one would find in many aerospace companies. Three of those needs are:What do we do? What do we need to know? How do we get what we need?The wide scope of materials engineering is shown along with the somewhat limited scope ofwork for the current materials engineers in the high tech industries of aerospace or electronics.Two of the key processes of interest are highlighted. They are: selecting and building thecomposite and adhesive bonding. The pitfalls for composite design and manufacture and theoptions for surface preparation are greater at this time than at any time in the past, and theseoptions are presented along with material to aid choice. One typical problem for the lonelymaterials engineer in a small company is the predilection for other engineers and management toaccept a low value for average lap shear, provided it allows a sufficient factor of safety.Examples of actual materials engineering problems and their solutions are given along withapproaches for testing, composite fabrication, and adhesive bonding.
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