#heat resistant alloys

[superbmaterials]

China Alloy Steel, Alloy Steel, wholesale Alloy Steel, Alloy Steel manufacturers stainless steel manufacturers, stainless steel suppliers, stainless steel factory, China stainless steel price, Chinese suppliers https://superbmaterials.com/

[vamshi11]

Exploring MS Plates: Varieties, Applications, and Their Design Impact with Top Brands from SteelonCall

Diverse Varieties of MS Plates

Mild Steel (MS) plates, celebrated for their robustness and adaptability, come in various types to suit different industrial and construction needs:

Standard MS Plates: These versatile plates are the go-to choice for general applications. Their balanced mix of strength and flexibility makes them ideal for structural supports, machinery parts, and general fabrication tasks.

High Strength Low Alloy (HSLA) Plates: Designed to offer enhanced strength without compromising weldability, HSLA plates are perfect for demanding applications. They are commonly used in heavy machinery, bridges, and other high-stress environments.

Corrosion-Resistant Plates: Coated or treated to withstand environmental wear, these plates are used in areas prone to moisture and chemicals. They are ideal for outdoor installations and marine applications where durability against corrosion is crucial.

Quenched and Tempered Plates: Through specific heat treatments, these plates gain exceptional hardness and impact resistance. They are utilized in heavy-duty machinery and equipment that require superior strength and durability.

Wide-Ranging Applications of MS Plates

The applications of MS plates span a diverse array of sectors, reflecting their integral role in modern industry and construction:

Construction: In construction, MS plates are essential for structural components like beams, columns, and reinforcements. They provide the necessary stability and strength for buildings, bridges, and infrastructure projects.

Manufacturing: The industrial sector relies on MS plates for machinery and equipment fabrication.

Automotive Industry: MS plates are used extensively in automotive production for vehicle bodies and chassis. Their strength and formability are key to producing safe and reliable automotive parts.

Shipbuilding: In the maritime industry, MS plates are fundamental in constructing ship hulls and decks. 

Agricultural Equipment: MS plates are utilized in the production of agricultural machinery. Their toughness and ability to withstand heavy loads make them ideal for farming equipment.

Impact of MS Plates on Design Innovation

MS plates are not only functional but also inspire creative design solutions:

Architectural Innovation: In contemporary architecture, MS plates are often used for their sleek, industrial aesthetic. They feature prominently in building facades, decorative elements, and structural highlights, contributing to modern architectural styles.

Custom Fabrication: The flexibility of MS plates allows for custom designs and fabrications. From bespoke furniture to artistic installations, their ability to be cut, welded, and shaped supports unique and tailored design solutions.

Facade Solutions: For building facades, MS plates can create striking visual effects while providing durability. Various treatments and finishes offer designers flexibility in achieving distinctive and functional exterior designs.

Versatile Design Options: The range of finishes and treatments available for MS plates enables their use in diverse design contexts. This adaptability allows for integration into both interior and exterior designs, meeting varied aesthetic and functional requirements.

Premium MS Plates Available at SteelonCall

At SteelonCall, we offer a selection of high-quality MS plates from renowned brands, ensuring that you receive the best materials for your projects:

Vizag Steel: Renowned for its superior quality and reliable performance, Vizag Steel’s MS plates are ideal for a range of applications, providing both strength and durability.

SAIL: SAIL offers a wide array of MS plates known for their consistent quality and performance, suitable for various industrial and construction needs.

Jindal: Jindal’s MS plates are celebrated for their exceptional strength and resilience, making them a preferred choice for demanding applications in construction and manufacturing.

Conclusion

MS plates are a fundamental component in numerous industrial and construction applications, valued for their strength, versatility, and adaptability. At SteelonCall, we provide top-quality MS plates from leading brands like Vizag Steel, SAIL, and Jindal, complete with test certificates to ensure authenticity and performance. Whether you need MS plates for construction, manufacturing, or innovative design projects, our range of products meets your highest standards.

For the best prices and exceptional service, contact us at 08062212000 or visit our website at steeloncall.com. Discover how our premium MS plates can elevate your projects and meet your needs with excellence.

#MSPlates #SteelPlates #DesignInnovation #ConstructionMaterials #TopSteelBrands #SteelonCall #QualitySteel

[aluminiumrepair]

Unveiling the HTS 2000 Brazing Rod: Exceptional Quality for Superior Metal Joining

Brazing is a critical process in metalworking, renowned for its ability to join metals with high precision and strength. Among the many options available, the HTS 2000 brazing rod stands out for its remarkable qualities. This article delves into what makes HTS 2000 an exceptional choice for various applications, highlighting its unique features and advantages.

Introduction to HTS 2000 Brazing Rod

HTS 2000 brazing rod is a high-performance metal joining solution designed to deliver reliable and durable results. Known for its superior strength and ease of use, HTS 2000 brazing rod has become a preferred choice for both professional welders and DIY enthusiasts.

Ease of Use and Application

One of the standout features of HTS 2000 brazing rod is its user-friendly nature. It is designed to be easy to work with, even for those who are new to brazing. Some of the reasons for its ease of use include:

No Need for Flux: HTS 2000 does not require a separate flux. This simplifies the process and reduces the need for additional materials, making the job cleaner and more efficient.

Compatibility with Standard Equipment: HTS 2000 can be used with standard oxy-acetylene torches and other common brazing equipment. This makes it accessible for a wide range of users, from professional welders to hobbyists.

Minimal Preparation: The rod's formulation minimizes the need for extensive surface preparation. Users can achieve strong, reliable joints with minimal pre-treatment of the base metals.

Cost-Effectiveness

While HTS 2000 brazing rod offers premium performance, it is also cost-effective. Its durability and strength contribute to long-lasting joints, reducing the need for frequent repairs or replacements. This can result in cost savings over time, making HTS 2000 an economical choice for both small and large-scale projects.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

HTS 2000 brazing rod is manufactured with environmental and safety considerations in mind. It is designed to produce minimal fumes and pollutants during the brazing process, contributing to a safer and cleaner working environment. Additionally, the rod's formulation ensures that it does not release harmful chemicals, making it a safer choice for users.

The HTS 2000 brazing rod stands out as a top-tier choice for metal joining applications, offering a combination of strength, ease of use, and versatility. Its unique composition, low melting point, and compatibility with standard equipment make it an excellent option for a variety of industries, from automotive repair to plumbing. The rod’s cost-effectiveness and safety features further enhance its appeal, making it a valuable tool for both professionals and DIY enthusiasts. Whether you’re working on a complex repair or a simple project, HTS 2000 brazing rod delivers the exceptional quality and performance you need for reliable and long-lasting results.

[bloggerpost2w322]

High-Speed Steel T42 Round Bar: Precision and Performance Redefined

High-speed steel (HSS) T42 round bars are revered in the realm of tooling and machining for their exceptional hardness, toughness, and heat resistance. Specifically designed for applications demanding high cutting speeds and prolonged tool life, T42 round bars represent a pinnacle in modern tool steel technology. This blog delves into the unique properties, diverse applications, and significant advantages of HSS T42 round bars, showcasing why they are indispensable in achieving precision and efficiency in machining operations.

Understanding High-Speed Steel T42 Round Bars

High-speed steel T42 is a tungsten-based HSS alloy, known for its robust combination of elements that enhance cutting performance and tool longevity. It typically contains elements such as:

Tungsten (W): Enhances hardness and wear resistance.

Molybdenum (Mo): Improves strength and heat resistance.

Vanadium (V): Promotes fine grain structure and toughness.

Cobalt (Co): Enhances red hardness and overall tool life.

The composition and heat treatment of T42 round bars result in a material capable of withstanding high temperatures generated during high-speed machining without losing hardness or dimensional stability.

Key Properties of High-Speed Steel T42 Round Bars

Exceptional Hardness: T42 round bars typically exhibit hardness levels ranging from 63 to 67 HRC (Rockwell C Scale), ensuring sharp cutting edges and resistance to wear.

High Wear Resistance: The alloy composition provides superior resistance to abrasion and deformation, crucial for continuous and high-speed machining operations.

Excellent Heat Resistance: T42 round bars maintain hardness and toughness even at elevated temperatures, reducing thermal deformation and ensuring consistent performance.

Good Machinability: Despite its high hardness, T42 steel maintains moderate machinability, allowing for intricate and precise tool designs.

Applications of High-Speed Steel T42 Round Bars

High-speed steel T42 round bars find widespread application across various industries:

Metal Cutting Tools: Used for manufacturing drills, end mills, reamers, and taps due to their high hardness and wear resistance.

Automotive and Aerospace Industries: Essential for machining high-strength alloys and exotic metals.

Tool and Die Making: Employed in forming dies, punches, and extrusion tools where precision and durability are critical.

General Engineering: Used in gear cutting, milling cutters, and broaches for efficient metal removal and high-speed operations.

Advantages of Using High-Speed Steel T42 Round Bars

Extended Tool Life: T42 round bars offer significantly longer tool life compared to conventional tool steels, reducing downtime and tool replacement costs.

High Cutting Performance: They enable high-speed cutting operations with superior surface finish and dimensional accuracy.

Versatility: Suitable for a wide range of machining applications across various industries, providing reliable performance in demanding environments.

Cost Efficiency: Despite initial higher costs, T42 round bars deliver long-term savings through improved productivity and reduced maintenance.

Conclusion

High-speed steel T42 round bars exemplify the pinnacle of tool steel technology, offering unmatched hardness, wear resistance, and heat resistance for high-speed machining applications. Their ability to maintain sharp cutting edges and withstand extreme temperatures makes them indispensable in achieving precise and efficient machining operations across diverse industries. Understanding the unique properties and applications of T42 round bars empowers manufacturers and toolmakers to optimize processes, enhance productivity, and achieve superior results.

[electronalytics]

Heat-resistant Aluminum Alloy Wire Market

[medicaldevicesindustrynews]

Unleashing the Potential of Oxygen-Free Copper: Revolutionizing High-Performance Applications

Oxygen-free high-conductivity copper is another name for oxygen-free copper. A class of wrought copper alloys known as oxygen-free copper is refined using an electrolytic process and exhibits excellent conductivity. In particular, electrolytic refining is required to reduce the oxygen concentration to or below 0.001%. Makers are focused on item testing to make sure that production programs,…

[sobwh]

Sixaluminium - Devasa+

Aluminum extrusion is a process used to create parts with specific cross-sectional profiles by pushing heated alloy material through a die. This process allows for the creation of various shapes and sizes, making it a versatile method for manufacturing aluminum profiles. Despite its importance, many people may not even notice the prevalence of aluminum extrusions in their homes. In Turkey aluminium manufacturer, companies like Aluminance Aluminum Industry and Trade Inc. and Ş. are leading manufacturers of aluminum extrusion profiles and composite panels. These companies play a crucial role in providing high-quality aluminum extrusion products for various industries, including construction. The construction industry greatly benefits from the use of aluminum extrusion profiles. Aluminum construction are lightweight, strong, and corrosion-resistant, making them ideal for construction applications. They are commonly used in windows, doors, and other architectural elements due to their structural integrity and cost benefits. Additionally, aluminum extrusions offer sustainability advantages as they are recyclable and can be repurposed for other projects . The use of aluminum extrusions in construction also contributes to faster construction timelines, as they can be easily fabricated and installed. Overall, aluminium systems profiles have become an essential component in the construction industry, offering a range of benefits for architects, builders, and homeowners alike. In Turkey aluminium extrusion manufacturers like Ş. have played a significant role in supplying the construction industry with high-quality aluminum profiles. These profiles are used in various applications, including aluminum systems for windows, doors, and facades . The 40-Series Aluminium Extrusion Profile produced in the EU is a popular choice for construction pr aluminium veranda ojects due to its quality and durability. The use of aluminum extrusion profiles in construction not only enhances the aesthetics of buildings but also provides structural stability and longevity. With the continued advancements in aluminum extrusion technology, the construction industry can expect further innovation and development in the utilization of aluminum profiles for various architectural and structural applications.

[sunnydbeam]

What materials is Biohazard made of? I guess not everything resists radiation

Indeed! No material is totally resistant to radiation; it always depends on the amount of radiation and the exposure time.

Let me get a little nerdy

I clarify and repeat: I'm not an expert on the subject. I did research for this AU in general and thus determined the right materials for the construction of Biohazard. I may be wrong. But this is sci-fi, and some things are improbable but intentional, like Biohazard's melting rays!

Endoskeleton and joints: titanium alloys, stainless steel, and aluminum reinforced with carbon fiber.

Internal components:

Microchips and components: specifically designed to withstand high doses of radiation and encased in a dense layer of ceramic material within a tungsten protective box.

Sensors made with materials resistant to radiation and high temperatures. Integrated into the endoskeleton and protected by a dense covering material.

Actuators: electric or hydraulic motors made with corrosion- and wear-resistant materials. Located within the joints and protected by the endoskeleton.

Metallic lithium-Ion batteries specially designed to operate in extreme environments, housed in a tungsten protective box, away from sensitive components.

Cooling system: copper tubes and non-flammable, radiation-resistant cooling fluids integrated into the endoskeleton to dissipate heat generated by electronic components and shielding.

Protection systems:

Primary shielding: lead sheets and boron-based composite materials, 1.5 centimeters thick.

Secondary/Exterior shielding: tungsten sheets, 1 cm thick.

Biohazard has numerous limbs and components functioning as redundant systems. In the event of a failure, he can continue operating with backups.

He used to integrate cameras and sensors for remote monitoring and data collection. These are no longer operational.

Being made of very dense materials, he's extremely robust and heavy! You practically couldn't lift one of his arms if he were off!

He was very, very expensive to manufacture as well. The frustration was very great when the project "didn't work".

[typewritingyip]

The Arcturus Missions

Part Eighteen - Headaches

Part Seventeen

———

Copper, a surprisingly good conductor of heat and electricity. It’s used for building materials and in various alloys. It is used in wiring, plumbing, and industrial applications, such as mecha suits.

They are also used for a number of other applications, the metal is malleable and can be bent into ideal shapes for specific applications. It has antibacterial properties and is resistant to corrosion, it’s often used in the making of spirits. The heat applied is spread evening to the surface area and can heat the liquor evenly to make the process simple enough that it has been known to happen in military housing or on fronts.

Copper stills range in size and capabilities, able to make several types of liquor depending on the resources accessible to the user. They can make whiskey, though the aging process takes a considerable amount more time in separate barrels, than several clear liquors such as vodka, gin, and moonshine. All taking different ingredients and time frames.

Though distilling without a license is illegal in the United States, it doesn’t stop people from learning how to distill their own liquor and distilling in international territory depends on whose territory you are currently at host to.

—

The apartment was nearly cold and they were all out of their suits, Prowl had yet to make an appearance as he was still dealing with details down at central. For the moment, Hound was up in Breakdown's suit and had his tool kit with him. It had been moved from the Odyssey the first time one of them burst a line, the poor shuttle was getting less and less use the longer they were working with the Cybertronian’s. Breakdown was laying down in their makeshift bedroom, it was a platform with cots on it for them all in the bedroom, so the lights were turned down in there for him. Sunstreaker was watching Hound work, trying to take in the repairs and understand what he was doing, but unlike Hound who’d worked on military machinery before being a pilot the only experience Sunstreaker had was super-charging cars. Sure, there was some overlap but not nearly enough.

Hound swore and pulled his hand back, it was covered in oil from a burst line, though the glove he wore protected him somewhat, “Sonny, grab me that line clamp.” His hands were halfway into Breakdown’s shoulder by the time Sunstreaker handed over the clamp, “Fuck, I’ll have to get fluid for the system.” They worked like that, every few minutes Hound would swear and Sunstreaker would dive into the tool kit for something he needed, “I’m going to hold this piece back, you’re going to go in with the wrench to finish the repair.” Pausing, Sunstreaker looks up, “But, I don’t know how to repair a suit,” “And you’re going to learn cause my hands can’t reach the inner joint.” Sighing deeply, Sunstreaker adjusted his stance on the plating before going into the joint.

It took then a few hours to get the arm adjusted and recalibrated, Knockout did a great job but the lines needed to be redone in the spare material from earth, the cybertronian stuff just wouldn’t hold up to the suit's weight or stress.

Sideswipe comes out of the bathroom, groaning, “Are you two almost done up there? I want to head into Iacon Central.” Sunstreaker gives him a look, face streaked in oil and grease, “Sides, now is not the time. If we don’t get Breakdown’s suit repaired everyone will start to figure out what they're not supposed to.” He crossed his arms, frowning, “Well Prowl doesn’t want us going into town by ourselves, Jazz is asleep, and you two are more so breaking Breakdown’s suit.” Sunstreaker groaned and pulled away from the wires, pointing at his brother, “Just, hang on,” Shaking his head, Hound turned toward them both, “If you two are just going to bicker do it elsewhere. I need to focus.” Sunstreaker turned, “But Hound,” “Now Sunstreaker. If this isn’t repaired before our meeting with Joan— I mean the Prime, damnit, then they’ll insist that Breakdown goes to Knockout again.” Sunstreaker sighed slowly, “And he’ll actually run the scans this time,” “Only to find a tiny organic in his chest instead of the typical spark.” Sideswipe almost looked sheepish, almost, “So please, for the love of god, go argue somewhere else. But don’t disturb Breakdown.” Hound wipes a hand across his forehead, smearing the grease across it while he goes back into the repair. Leaving the twins glaring at each other.

—

Hound was the only one going to the meeting, Jazz was taking the twins into central Iacon just to shut them up for a klick or two and Breakdown was still resting though his suit was at least repaired. Hound had a pounding headache, once Sideswipe and Sunstreaker had stopped arguing they’d turned music on just low enough to not wake Breakdown but loud enough to grate at Hound’s migraine. Prowl had come to let them all know they were effectively free and Jazz had made quick work of cornering the twins, “Let’s go into Iacon Central, go to the market. Hey, there is a pretty cool upgrades place I think you two will love.” Sunstreaker had tried to argue but Sideswipe covered his mouth with a far to practiced ease, “Yead, that sounds great. Just the three of us hitting the town. We can get the stuff for our project while we’re out.” There was a moment of pause before Sunstreaker lout out the biggest and most dramatic sigh Hound had ever seen, “Fine, but only for the parts we need.” Jazz was grinning, which couldn’t be a good sign. His head was pounding.

”I worry I don’t even want to ask what you’re getting parts for,” Hound was back in his suit, rubbing his forehead as the twins to into their respective cockpits, “Oh don’t worry commander,” That was never a good sign, “This will be something we all can enjoy, after a few tweaks.” And that really wasn’t a good sign, “We’ll have to stop by the Odyssey for some stuff too Jazz.” Sunstreaker was the first up, stretching lightly while waiting on his brother, “Oh yeah, if we could get this stuff going tonight it would be perfect.” Hound’s head was throbbing and their conversation was not going to help ease it, Jazz laughed, “Yeah, we can stop in at the warehouse on the way back.” Sideswipe stood and started to usher the pair out, “Alright, don’t wait up. We’ll see you two sticks in the mud tonight.” The door slid open and shut harshly, as if they were able to slam a door like that.

Prowl stood there, staring after where the three of them went with a frown, “Should we be concerned?” “Definitely.” Sighing Hound moved around and grabbed the tablet that he’d been given when they landed, rubbing his face, “Is Breakdown joining us?” Shaking his head, Hound tucked the tablet into his chute holder, “No, I’ve ordered him to rest and last I checked he was sound asleep.” Prowl nodded slowly, frowning, “Will he be alright?” With a nod, Hound starts towards the door, “It’s a concussion, he just needs rest and time to heal.” “I don’t think Jazz has had a concussion before,” Prowl’s voice was tinted with concern, “Well, after you’ve had one you’re far more susceptible. The older suits, like Breakdown's, don't have all the same protections for concussive force.” He knocked lightly against his chest, “Or the same structure for the assistance suits. We have this guy, named Blur, he used to race back on Earth. he said it would be smart to put something called a HANS device in. Most of ours are attached to the piloting seat then clip onto our suits, Breakdown only got one installed before the mission.” Sighing a bit, Hound shields his eyes a bit as they go out into the hall, “It won’t stop everything, but it’s meant to help for impacts and things.” Prowl nodded slowly, watching before falling into step with Hound.

They walked together in silence, which Hound was grateful for, able to turn down his audio receivers for a bit before Prowl cleared his throat, “Hound, are you feeling alright?” He was thankful the mech kept his voice low, sighing as he nodded a bit, “Yes, Prowl. I’m alright. Just a headache.” Prowl’s steps slowed, he was frowning, “Do you want to postpone the meeting? I know that when Jazz gets headaches they can be helped with being in the dark and not in your suit.” Sighing, Hound shook his head, “No, no the meeting is too important to postpone. Plus, it could help with some of my headache. Once we’re there I’ll take something for it.” Nodding, Prowl fell back into silence, Hound smiled a bit, “So, uh, How are things with Jazz?” Prowl chuckled lightly, shaking his head, “I can see small talk carries over no matter the species.” With a shrug, Hound looks at him, “Well?” Prowl shook his head.

It didn’t take long to hear what though, “Things, as you phrased it, with Jazz are fine.” Hound hummed and Prowl almost whipped around, “I know that tone.” Laughing and holding his head, Hound held up his other hand, “You can’t answer the question with just rephrasing it on Earth, otherwise people will definitely think things aren’t fine.” Prowl sighed, rolling his eyes a bit to Hound’s amusement, “Then Jazz and I are doing well, certainly better than others.” There was a touch of tone there that Hound thought sounded like sarcasm but this was Prowl, nodding a bit, Hound cleared his throat a bit, “I take it you spoke with Mirage and found out what uh, a word that doesn’t translate is.” Frowning, Prowl shook his head, “What are you talking about?” At least you could count on Prowl for being the last one to hear the gossip, “Mirage and I were speaking on the shuttle back here, I mentioned being divorced—“ Prowl almost jumped out of his plating, “Which clearly translates to something horrible but it’s just the legal separation between two people on Earth, two people who were married but no longer want to be.” It took a minute for Prowl to be able to speak, “That word translates into the breaking and permanent separation of a joined spark,” He takes a breath, “It effectively would mean, for us, that your Conjux has since passed and that is an incredibly painful experience.” Nodding a bit, Hound sighed, “Yeah, I figured it was something like that. No, I was married young and it didn’t work out for a lot of reasons, but she’s not dead.” Prowl cracked a smile at that, nodding.

The sunshine made his head throb again, wincing a bit as he turned down the brightness of his visual feed. Prowl rested a hand lightly on his arm, “Are you sure,” “Prowl, this meeting needs to happen.” His steps stalled for a moment, “Why?” Hound sighed and glanced back towards the apartment building, “We need to rethink the structure of our team, right now if we continue the direction that we are, I doubt it’ll end well.” “Meaning?” Prowl was trying hard to keep his tone neutral, but Hound knew, “On Earth, pilots rarely work with other pilots, because we’re all stubborn and hardheaded. We don’t take orders well and the risk of death is high, the longer you work with another pilot the more connected you get and when they get hurt or worse it becomes harder to do the mission.” His hands clasp at his sides, taking a deep breath, “In the last two days we had one pilot try to kill a specialist and another got hurt, it will only continue to happen if we remain in the structure that we currently are.” Prowl was just staring at him, his eyes focusing and unfocusing, clearly running the statement through his tacnet. Hound waited, nodding his head slightly when Prowl looked at him and not through him, “That’s why this meeting is important, I need to discuss spreading out my team with Optimus Prime, a higher chance of survival and success for all of us.” Prowl bowed his head slightly, staring at the 97.6% in the corner of his own visual feed, the number that had been rising since their arrival.

Stepping onto the transport, Prowl fell silent again as Hound sagged into a seat, wanting to give him some relief to his migraine. In that moment, he could truly see the title commander written all over his plating, having seen both Optimus and Megatron fight these same internal battles over the years. Sidestepping slightly, he blocks the worst of the sun from Hound’s visual feeds, crossing his arms and guarding his friend from what little he could, either the sun or the stares of other Cybertronian’s.

—

Iacon Central was beautiful, it honestly reminded Sideswipe a lot of Miami and eased some of the homesickness. Though it was also staggeringly different, with the transformation lanes and flight-frames overhead buzzing the buildings every few minutes. It was thrilling and terrifying at the same time, him and Sunstreaker were following Jazz down the road, “We need copper, preferably copper tubing but still copper and an oversized cube.” Jazz looks over his shoulder, “What are you two planning?” Sunstreaker scoffs, “We. Aren't planning anything. He planned it and I’m going to build it.” Sideswipe clasped his hand against his twin's shoulder, “Oh come on, this was always the dream, we just have the space for it now.” Jazz’s visor darken slightly, “I don’t like that you’re using my apartment for unknown mystery projects.” Sideswipe comes up and throws an arm around his shoulders, “Jazz, I swear, you are going to love this. Now,” “Yeah yeah, copper tubing and a giant cube. I heard ya.” Sunstreaker sighed deeply, still dragging his feet a bit as they headed into the marketplace.

—

Autobot Central, now known as the headquarters of the primal vanguard, was massive and reminded Hound of some state capitals back on Earth. Not in the appearance really but in its grand scale. Prowl and him were climbing the steps to the main entrance, several guards standing out front stoic as statues though they opened the gate as they got to it, “Thanks,” Hound nodded to them slightly as they went through, Prowl nodding as well, “I have primary access.” That made a lot of sense. They had to climb more steps to the building, sighing a bit Hound followed Prowl up and inside.

The halls were massive, even by the standards of mechs it was huge, certainly bigger than any of the warehouses that Hound’s suit had been stored in. A few of the mecha that they passed were familiar but none were ones that Hound knew well. Prowl nodded to a few, keeping a low voice and telling Prowl who they passed, “That was Tracks, generally not friendly. That one is Swerve and no, I don’t know why he’s acting like he saw a ghost. He acts the same way around Jazz, and primus go this way.” He redirects Hound with a shove down a separate hallway, “If we ran into Starstream we’d never make it to the meeting.” Hound tried not to smile, nodding a bit, “Yeah, I know plenty of people like that back home.” They kept walking together though going quiet as the number of people dwindled the deeper they got into the fortress.

Ironhide stood outside the door, looking bored, “Took the two of you long enough to get here,” He smiles, “Everyone is inside, I’ll join you as soon as my replacement shows up.” Prowl nodded and scanned in for the door, letting Hound enter first.

Hound had seen this room over video several times but had never been inside, it was command, the main command that Prowl generally worked from. Looking to Prowl, who simply shrugged, they entered. There weren’t many people in the room, Megatron and Optimus Prime were sitting towards the front of the room, talking quietly with each other. Mirage was standing to the side with a mech that Hound didn’t know, Red Alert was on the command desk with another mech that Hound really didn’t know though had what was best described as a cat in his lap. There was a pink mecha stood to the side with a flight frame that looked a great deal like the Starscream that Prowl had insisted they avoid. Hound knew several seekers though and was at least vaguely familiar with the frame type, how they stuck to groups of three or trines, as well as what happened to the trine if one or more of them died. Optimus looks up and the smile reached his eyes, the room almost growing uncomfortably warm, “Hound, just the mecha we were waiting on, please come have a seat and once Ironhide is able to join us we can start.” Nodding a bit, Hound moved over and took a seat that looked the least comfortable, he could hear one mech sigh from relief before they took a different seat.

It didn’t take very long before Ironhide was able to join them, two other Seekers following him in before joining the blue one across the table from him, though one distinctly taking the seat near Megatron, Optimus nodded before sitting up, “Right, now that we’re all here we can start. Hound, I understand there is something you desire to discuss with us?” Nodding a bit, Hound pulled the tablet he had from his plating and set it on the table, “I want to restructure my unit, sir.” Everyone was watching intently now and Hound was far from a public speaker, “I think it will be best for the war and our joint effort.” Megatron tilted his head slightly, “How so?” Hound sighed slowly, “On Earth,” “You’re not on Earth, your on Cybertron,” And he suddenly understood why that mech was called Starscream, he winced slightly and turned the audio receivers down more, “On Earth, those of us found compatible are more often spread out across the planet to defend cities or regions.” Optimus nodded slowly, folding his hands, “Pilots, what we are called, we don’t work in units. We work with crews and teams in command, soldiers on the ground, but not other people who fight like we do. It’s too much of a liability, too much of a risk.” Megatron shifted in his seat, looking to Optimus, who held up a hand to let Hound continue to speak.

Shifting uneasily in his seat, Hound cleared his throat a bit, “With Breakdown getting hurt in the manner that he did, plus the disagreement between Sideswipe and Bluestreak, it’s becoming apparent to me that we need to be split amongst your units for the best outcome.” Starscream scoffed and several others looked around uneasily. Megatron was glowering, “As Starscream said, you are not on Earth, so why is it that your suggesting we follow the suicidal path that they had you on before?” Hound shook his head, pushing up off the table, “The last two days are only the start, it will continue to grow worse. When Breakdown got hurt it took two of us from the fight and if the others had been alerted it would have been all of us. It’s how we work, how we function.” Sighing, Hound picks up the tablet and offers it down the table, “I would suggest that we break up with mecha we’re familiar with and can work well with. This is what I would suggest.” Optimus takes it and quickly plugs the tablet into the table, bringing the files up in front of their eyes.

Megatron stared and set his jaw, “I don’t know how it is done on Earth, but we do not split up split sparks, ever. The fact that you rate suggesting it with your own kind.” Hound shook his head, “Being split spark is being two halves of the same whole effectively, from the moment that you are sparked. Well, it is not like that for us. Yes, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe were born on the same day, within minutes of each other to the same creators but they aren’t connected in the same manner, they can be physically separated for a period of time with limited psychological distress.” Optimus rubs his forehead and a few of the mecha shifted uncomfortably, Hound cleared his throat uncomfortably, “Sideswipe attacked Bluestreak because of a misunderstanding dealing with his brother and it will only grow worse the longer that those three work together, but I think Sunstreaker and Bluestreak are well paired for this.” He took a breath, “It won’t be permanent, I think we should only be separated for around a quartex or so, then reevaluated.” Slowly sitting back down, he folded his hands a bit anxiously, Optimus was nodding slowly and looked over, “Prowl, your thoughts?” Prowl nodded and plugged a drive into the table, “Every fight, their risk of death grows while ours has decreased rapidly, if my projections are correct then their risk will fall while separated and ours should remain mostly unchanged.” Megatron’s fist collided with the table, no one flinched but Ironhide winced, “Damn.”

”It isn’t right and we all know it.” He was practically growling, Optimus sighed and shook his head, “We know Megatron, but what else is there to do with such poor projections?” They stared at each other, clearly speaking over comms as the others around the table started to whisper to one another. Hound shifted a bit, “We know that these smaller attacks are happening both on Cybertron and in Cybertronian space, sending all five of us to one location isn’t going to help those areas.” Prowl sat back, staring off in the middle distance, “They are the units which now are taking the heaviest losses.” Hound nodded slightly, sighing, Megatron looked up, “I want to maintain two of you for my unit, not the twins since you seem so dead set on separating the pair,” “Megatron,” Megatron waves Optimus off, “You and Breakdown will remain with me, since Knockout has taken such a likely to the mech, once he is healed he can join us.” Nodding, Hound scratched at his jaw a bit, “I think that is fair,” “Also, we are going to have Sunstreaker and Sideswipe in separate units but in the same detail.” Optimus leans forward slightly, “I can understand why you feel the need to separate them and they will spend their off time apart, but they work better together in the fight than not, I can assume.” Nodding again, Hound sighs, “And Jazz?” Prowl leaned forward a bit, “Will return to his speciality work, what he was doing before you all arrive. It gives us four speciality units instead of one without losing much.” Hound bit his tongue lightly and nodded, it wasn’t what he’d been asking for but it was certainly better than their current downward spiral.

Optimus nods and looks to the pink mecha, “Elita, I want you to take Sideswipe and Ironhide will take Sunstreaker,” He holds up a hand lightly, “I will be safe in Iacon without you Ironhide while we attempt to deal with situation at hand, I need you in the field with Elita and the others.” “But Prime,” “Would it make you feel better if I were to join you?” The chorus of nos was certainly enough to make Hound wince and lightly hold his head, Megatron was staring at him so he slowly lowered his hand, “I will have Soundwave and be in Iacon, if an attack were to happen here then you’d all fall back to this position regardless.” Hound could see why he was the leader, certainly, once everyone was quiet again Optimus nodded, “We will send out the orders when each team is to depart, but for now there isn’t anything in the nearest system. We will remain on alert,” He pauses before looking to Hound, “Hound, I apologize but now I do have to ask you to leave the meeting, we’ll be discussing planetary objections. Ironhide, Elita, Blaster, Red Alert, Mirage, Skywarp, and Thundercraker will join you.” The two seekers were the first up and out, already talking painfully loudly even as Starscream puts his face in his hands, “They are idiots.” There were a few chuckles as chairs scraped, “Here Hound, I’ll walk you out of headquarters.” Mirage stands and walks over, smiling to Prowl as Hound stands, “Thanks, this place looked like a maze coming in.” “It basically is,” Mirage smiled and started out of the room, Hound glanced toward Megatron and Optimus before saluting and following Mirage out.

Once they’d left the room, Optimus chuckles lightly, “It would seem many of our own continue to find the odd visored mechs, uh, appealing.” Prowl’s faceplates burned as Elita burst out laughing, a hand covering his mouth, even Megatron chuckled.

———

A/N

Considering I had the weekend to write, I will be honest and say I wrote most of this today even though I was very much lacking time.

To be fair, it would have been up around 30 minutes sooner if my room hadn’t caught on fire (it was actually the top of the chimney, and it was hardly a fire) but still.

Things are starting to pick up, the fall out of the next part is going to be very interesting for all included parties, muhahaha.

I also wanted to know if you’d guys want me to link the next part in the pervious post or not? I know I link the previous chapter but I wasn’t sure if after the next part is posted you’d want a link to the next one at the bottom. Or just a link to the masterlist maybe? Which will be getting a revamp very soon.

Tags!

@lunarlei68 @whirlywhirlygig @loop-hole-319 @pixillandjester @alek-the-witch @not-a-moose-in-disguise @goddessofwind8water @neurologicalglitch @dersereblogger @pixel-transformers @mrcrayonofdoom @wireplaces @twilightfreefaller @original-blog-name-2 @devilangel657 @robbin-u @childofprimus @miniartistme @starwold @tea-enthusiasm @valeexpris606 @celticdoggo @bird599 @agentsquirrelsgotrobots @aquaioart @dimencreasatlas @thatwandercat @artdagz @seisha974 @starscreamloverfr @halenhusky309 @leethepiper @cat-cassette @blue-wrens @sirassban @astridkolch @cosmique-oddity @garbageenthusiast @osqindaxend

And as always, thank you to the amazing @keferon for this amazing AU! (Sorry for the span in this, 18 parts is a lot)

[chaosticbraindo]

Kaijune - day 4: sharp 🤖🐔

Gigan, the kaiju killer

a kaiju emerged from outer space that has broken the control laid upon it by its creator, this biomechanical life form regrew its body over its metallic skeleton while keeping the combat related modifications.

made from an exceptionally strong alloy of unknown origins, Gigan is nearly impervious to all froms of damage including extremely high resistance to Gojira’s atomic fog and it’s destabilization effect (though not to the extends of its breath).

aside from the bladed limbs, chainsaw chest, and metallic spikes all over its body, gigan possesses some unique abilities such as shooting and adjusting the concentration of a counter reality bending heat beam from an eye on its forehead, and the power to fade between realms to a certain extent which seems to be the Kaiju’s natural ability.

this fading allows gigan to ignore certain constrains of the law of this world, allowing it to defy gravity and move freely in all directions without the need to use physical force, limited teleportation, and somewhat phase through objects if move slowly.

while the teleportation power can only move the kaiju for a distance of 20 meters or less, it is enough for Gigan to dodge as well as reduce the impact of any physical attacks made on it.

mentally, the kaiju has shown signs of high intelligence and sadistic tendencies towards others which has formed under the combination of an artificial intelligence and the original biological conscious of Gigan after the kaiju regained control of its body.

After an encounter with Gojira, Gigan was fatally injured by a barrage of radioactive breath and fled the fight before vanishing soon after, presumably fully fled back into the alternate dimension.

[materialsscienceandengineering]

Team develops predictive tool for designing complex metal alloys that can withstand extreme environments

Cooks love stainless steel for its durability, rust resistance and even cooking when heated. But few know the secret that makes stainless steel so popular. It's the metal chromium in stainless steel, which reacts with oxygen in the air to form a stable and protective thin coating for protecting the steel underneath. These days, scientists and engineers are working to design alloys that can resist extreme environments for applications such as nuclear fusion reactors, hypersonic flights and high-temperature jet engines. For such extreme applications, scientists are experimenting with complex combinations of many metals mixed in equal proportions in what are called multi-principal element alloys or medium- to high-entropy alloys. These alloys aim to achieve design goals such as strength, toughness, resistance to corrosion and so on. Specifically, researchers seek alloys resistant to corrosion that can happen when metals react with oxygen in the atmosphere, a process called oxidation. These alloys are typically tested in a "cook-and-look" procedure where alloy materials are exposed to high-temperature oxidation environments to see how they respond.

Read more.

[usafphantom2]

Ability to intercept an SR-71: Victor Belenko states the Mig-25 cannot intercept the SR-71 for several reasons: The SR-71 fly too high and too fast; the Mig cannot reach it or catch it. The missiles lack the velocity to overtake the SR-71 and in the event of a head on missile fire (The Golden BB), the Guidance system cannot adjust to the high closure rate of the SR-71.

The Mig-25 has a jam proof radar but cannot distinguish targets below 1,640 feet due to ground clutter. The radar was so powerful it could burn through jamming signals by approaching bombers.

Upon dismantling the Mig-25, the data was analyzed by the Foreign Technology Division of the Air Force at Dayton, Ohio. There were many surprises:

 

1The Mig had been manufactured in February 1976 and thus was one of their latest most sophisticated production aircraft.

2Transistor circuitry was not used but instead the Soviets relied on vacuum tubes for most of their electronics. The Soviets reasoned the vacuum tubes were less affected by EMP waves in the case of nuclear attack; were more resistant to temperature extremes and they were easy to replace in remote airfields where transistors may not be readily available if repairs were needed.

3Welding was done by hand.

4Rivet heads were exposed in areas not critical to parasitic aerodynamic drag.

5Pilot forward vision was highly obstructed.

6With huge Tumansky R-15D-300 engines the Mig was considered almost a rocket.

7Pilots were forbidden to exceed Mach 2.5. There was a total of three engine instruments and the airspeed indicator was redlined at 2.8 Mach.

8Above Mach 2.8 the engines would overheat and burn up. The Americans had clocked a Mig-25 over Israel at Mach 3.2 in 1973. Upon landing in Egypt, the engines were totally destroyed. We did not understand that the engine destruction was inevitable.

9The combat radius is 186 miles.

10Without using afterburner; staying at optimum altitude and not maneuvering, the Mig can fly in a straight line for 744 miles.

11The plane was so heavy at 64,200 pounds, that according to early rumors Soviet designers had to eliminate a pilot ejection system. However this was disproved.  Most MiG-25s used the KM-1 ejector seat. The last versions used an early variant of the famous K-36 seat. The speed record for the fastest successful ejection (Mach 2.67) is held by a KM-1 equipped MiG-25.

12Maximum operational altitude: Carrying two missiles, 78,740 feet (for maximum two minutes duration); carrying four missiles, 68,900 feet is maximum.

13Maximum altitude of missiles: 88,588 feet.

14Maximum G load: With full fuel tanks 2.2 G's is max; with near empty fuel tanks, 5 G's is dangerous. The Mig-25 cannot turn inside a U.S. F-4 Phantom fighter!

15The plane was made of steel alloy, not high temperature titanium, although strips of titanium was used in areas of high heat concentration.

16In a tight turn the missiles could be ripped from the wings. thesr71blackbird.com/Aircraft/Stori…

@Habubrats71 via X

[wuxiaphoenix]

Worldbuilding: This is a Drill

Never underestimate “old”. Some things are old for a very good reason. They work.

Horseshoe crabs have lived visibly unchanged for over 300 million years. Sharks are an age-old “fish predator” shape. Books have reliably kept and passed down information for over a millennium; we’re still investigating remedies in Bald’s Leechbook.

One of the oldest complex tools we have is the drill. What’s interesting about that is that we’re not sure which function of it as a tool came first. Humans being humans, odds are we did both at once.

The best-known modern function is that of creating a hole through, or partly through, another object. What we do with the hole afterward is up to your imagination. Stringing neat things as jewelry goes back as long as Homo has been sapiens; likely longer, check what anthropologists have dug up lately. Fastening things together, drilling out things we don’t want (knots in wood, bad teeth, etc.) or just putting holes in things for the heck of it are all common uses.

(Never underestimate the human ability to do things Because. We poke things. It’s a species thing.)

But when we drill things, we also create friction. Modern drills employ several methods to try and reduce it, everything from lubricants to timed bursts to heat-resistant gold oxide drill alloys. If all we want is a hole, generally we want as little heat to damage the material as possible.

In some ancient tools, though, making heat was the entire point. I’m talking about the original fire drill.

Now, when it comes to making fire, I am firmly in Camp Matches. I’ve also worked around Bunsen burners enough that I’m okay with flint and steel. But we’ve only had steel for, oh, say around 2500 years, plus or minus depending on where you were on the planet. Matches have only been around a few centuries. And if you’re really in dire straits - cast up on a deserted island formed from a coral atoll, or something - you might not even have flint.

In which case you’d better have ingenuity and patience. Given a bit of materials and time, you can drill fire into existence.

Note, have absolutely all your fire materials and very fine tinder set up in advance, and protect everything from the wind as much as possible. It’s going to take a long time, you’ll only get one ember at a time, and it’ll be a cold night sleeping if you miss.

So. Have everything you can think of set up, sit down, and drill. Be prepared for hours of pulling your bit back and forth.

No, longer than that.

Longer.

Eventually, it works. And if you get it to work once you will understand why ancient hunter-gatherers would set up fire-pouches and horns to carry a hot ember with them at all times. Because augh.

So. That’s a drill. And it will almost definitely be useful in your world, for one reason or another.

Fun fact: one of the first human uses of diamonds was industrial, diamond-tipped drills to make fine holes in pearls! They were imported from India to drill pearls in China in the Yuan Dynasty. Cool!

[aikoiya]

LoZ - The Master Sword of the Goddess

Ya'll... I am so flippin' proud of how well this came out. Cause it's beautiful! ❤️

Now, my theory is that the Master Sword isn't truly complete. Not yet anyway.

Like, it isn't in its intended form. The one it was designed for.

And this is what I think it'd look like:

Like, dude! This is amazing!

Though, I feel like the wings of the guard are too big for a longsword. Would be better suited to a claymore.

I also loved both gems I made, but I think this version is the winner because it means that I can use this one for something special to help the wielder.

You may not have noticed, but the gem is actually 2 fused together.

Anyway, I've been thinkin' about the materials that this version of the sword might be made of & I think I have a decent list.

To start off:

2 Goddess Plumes (which appear to be crystalline) for the guard.

Timeshift Stones, which the original sword's guard was primarily made of, so it'll be melted down to make a new one. (The Timeshift Stone of the guard & the Ocarina of Time resonated, which is what sent Time's mind forward into the future.)

Star Fragments from New Hyrule.

The above items melted down & made into an alloy with iridium & other materials (possibly even Dusk Relics, which might just be Mexican Blue Amber) to create the wings.

The 3 Sacred Flames. Used to kindle a new flame. A white-gold one.

Green Chalcedony to inspire strength, courage, & insight. It also has connections to love. (Every type of love, not just romantic.) Then magically infused to draw out those traits.

Aqua Chalcedony symbolizes tranquility & harmony. Has a soothing, gentle energy, & promotes emotional balance, helping to alleviate stress, anxiety, & negativity. It encourages inner peace & provides protection, making it well-suited to being the companion to heroes who may need a bit of extra support in trying times. Then magically infused to draw out those traits.

This would allow Fi to better aid her wielders emotionally even as she sleeps.

As for the metal itself:

* will appear beside alloys that I made up.

Chromium from chromite ore.

Star Pieces for the gold & whetstone. (Something to keep in mind is that there are 3 different colors of Star Fragment: the ones from the Era of the Wild, Gold & Red, & the ones from New Hyrule, which are Purple.)

*Mourniron = Typically found deep underground where fierce battles had taken place. The best kind can be found in Bogs as they tend to have trace amounts of silicon in them, which ensures better flexibility.

- *Allaysteel = Mourniron made into steel. Was once used by the Sheikah to make weapons that would help them in dispatching with enemy Poes & laying their souls to rest. The practice of creating it has long since been forgotten by the time of Wild's Era. Which is partly why there were so many Poe Souls in the Depths. Wild was the first to begin ferrying them to the Bargainer's Statues in 15,000 years. It is effective against Poes, Undead, & other such enemies.

Light Dragon Horn to melt down & fold into the metal to make the blade.

1 claw from one blessed by twilight. (A claw from Twi's wolf form.)

4 Master Ore from Lorule.

Iridium = A metal in the platinum group. Alloying it with other metals imparts durability & heat resistance. It's also nearly gold-tier in non-reactivity. Can only be found from comets, meteorites, & asteroids. Essentially, it's a space metal & would be heavily associated with stars. And while Iridium is a silvery-white color with a slight yellow-ish cast, under certain magically induced circumstances, it's cast instead changes to something in the range of lavender, purple, a/o indigo. Also, above the melting point, ignition results in a violet flame.

Stellite = Cobalt-chromium alloys. A very tough, as well as wear, corrosion, & heat resistant material.

*Grieving Steellite = A cobalt-chromium-Allaysteel alloy.

*Remembrance Corundite = A grieving steellite & diamond alloy.

Ferrochromium = An iron-chromium alloy.

*Mourningstar Corundite = Corundite & iridium alloy with Light Dragon Horn & Twilight's Claw.

*Master Corundite = Master Ore & Mourningstar Corundite alloy.

---

Anyway, it'd likely need to be reforged in an actual forge as, in ancient times, the forge was considered a holy place. If nothing else, the blade might get blessed.

At the same time, I see it needing to be made in lava due to the high melting point of a few of the ingredients.

I think that I'd have it to where Clove (LU's Four) & Legend switch between using the FD mask. This would automatically elevate their own bladesmithing abilities by quite a decent degree. Though, I can definitely tell that Legend would still have things to learn.

Like, things that might necessitate a 3 Oracles game. One where Farore is the Oracle of Mysteries, her book being the gateway for Legend, gaining a more intimate understanding of Runic magic, which could lead to infusion magic.

---

As an aside, I get the feeling that in this state, it'd change forms depending on the Link. Like, it'd become most suited to their particular size & fighting style.

As in, for Time, it'd become a two-handed sword. Legend, it'd take on runes that could channel that magic into the blade, turning him into something of a spellsword.

Similarly, if there were a Link who were Sheikah & trained as such, it'd take on a more katana or ninjatō-like shape. And Gerudo? A scimitar.

Hell, for Wind, it might turn more into a cutlass.

For the most part, it will stick to the shape of a sword of some sort.

Ergo, Clove (LU Four) would have zero reasons to avoid using it.

LoZ Linked Universe Masterlist

[reasoningdaily]

Children still mining cobalt for gadget batteries in Congo

A CBS News investigation of child labor in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo has revealed that tens of thousands of children are growing up without a childhood today – two years after a damning Amnesty report about human rights abuses in the cobalt trade was published. The Amnesty report first revealed that cobalt mined by children was ending up in products from prominent tech companies including Apple, Microsoft, Tesla and Samsung. 

There's such sensitivity around cobalt mining in the DRC that a CBS News team traveling there recently was stopped every few hundred feet while moving along dirt roads and seeing children digging for cobalt. From as young as 4 years old, children can pick cobalt out of a pile, and even those too young to work spend much of the day breathing in toxic fumes.

What's life like for kids mining cobalt for our gadgets?

So, what exactly is cobalt, and what are the health risks for those who work in the DRC's cobalt mining industry?

What is cobalt?

Cobalt – a naturally occurring element –  is a critical component in lithium-ion, rechargeable batteries. In recent years, the growing global market for portable electronic devices and rechargeable batteries has fueled demand for its extraction, Amnesty said in its 2016 report. In fact, many top electronic and electric vehicle companies need cobalt to help power their products.

The element is found in other products as well.

"Cobalt-containing products include corrosion and heat-resistant alloys, hard metal (cobalt-tungsten-carbide alloy), magnets, grinding and cutting tools, pigments, paints, colored glass, surgical implants, catalysts, batteries, and cobalt-coated metal (from electroplating)," says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

More than half of the world's supply of cobalt comes from the DRC, and 20 percent of that is mined by hand, according to Darton Commodities Ltd., a London-based research company that specializes in cobalt.  

Health risks of chronic exposure 

According to the CDC, "chronic exposure to cobalt-containing hard metal (dust or fume) can result in a serious lung disease called 'hard metal lung disease'" – a kind of pneumoconiosis, meaning a lung disease caused by inhaling dust particles. Inhalation of cobalt particles can cause respiratory sensitization, asthma, decreased pulmonary function and shortness of breath, the CDC says.

The health agency says skin contact is also a significant health concern "because dermal exposures to hard metal and cobalt salts can result in significant systemic uptake." 

"Sustained exposures can cause skin sensitization, which may result in eruptions of contact dermatitis," a red, itchy skin rash, the CDC says.

Despite the health risks, researchers with Amnesty International found that most cobalt miners in Congo lack basic protective equipment like face masks, work clothing and gloves. Many of the miners the organization spoke with for its 2016 report – 90 people in total who work, or worked, in the mines – complained of frequent coughing or lung problems. Cobalt mining's dangerous impact on workers and the environment

Some women complained about the physical nature of the work, with one describing hauling 110-pound sacks of cobalt ore. "We all have problems with our lungs, and pain all over our bodies," the woman said, according to Amnesty.

Moreover, miners said unsupported mining tunnels frequently give way, and that accidents are common.  

Miners know their work is dangerous, Todd C. Frankel wrote late last month in The Washington Post. 

"But what's less understood are the environmental health risks posed by the extensive mining," he reported. "Southern Congo holds not only vast deposits of cobalt and copper but also uranium. Scientists have recorded alarming radioactivity levels in some mining regions. Mining waste often pollutes rivers and drinking water. The dust from the pulverized rock is known to cause breathing problems. The mining industry's toxic fallout is only now being studied by researchers, mostly in Lubumbashi, the country's mining capital."

"These job are really desired"

Despite the dangers and risks of working as miners in the cobalt industry, at least of the some miners in the Congo "love their jobs," according to Frankel.

"When I talked to the miners there, none of them want to lose their jobs or give up their jobs. They love their jobs," Frankel said Tuesday, speaking on CBSN. "In a country like Congo, mining is one of the few decently paying jobs to be had there, and so they want to hold onto these jobs."

They also want fair treatment, decent pay, and some safety, "and they would love for their kids to not work in the mines," he said.

"It's a poverty problem," Frankel said. "These parents I talked to – they don't want their kids working in these mines. The problem is that their school fees – schools cost money, and you know, food costs money, and they sort of need their kids to work in there."

Poverty also drives children into the mines instead of school – an estimated 40,000 of them work in brutal conditions starting at very young ages.

The thousands of miners who work in tunnels searching for cobalt in the country "do it because they live in one of the poorest countries in the world, and cobalt is valuable," Frankel wrote in the Washington Post article.

"Not doing enough" 

CBS News spoke with some of the companies that use cobalt in their lithium-ion batteries. All of the companies acknowledged problems with the supply chain, but said they require suppliers to follow responsible sourcing guidelines. Apple, an industry leader in the fight for responsible sourcing, said walking away from the DRC "would do nothing to improve conditions for the people or the environment."

Read company responses here

Amnesty said in November, however, that "major electronics and electric vehicle companies are still not doing enough to stop human rights abuses entering their cobalt supply chains." 

"As demand for rechargeable batteries grows, companies have a responsibility to prove that they are not profiting from the misery of miners working in terrible conditions in the DRC," the organization said. "The energy solutions of the future must not be built on human rights abuses."

An estimated two-thirds of children in the region of the DRC that CBS News visited recently are not in school. They're working in mines instead. 

CBS News' Debora Patta spoke with an 11-year-old boy, Ziki Swaze, who has no idea how to read or write but is an expert in washing cobalt. Every evening, he returns home with a dollar or two to provide for his family.

"I have to go and work there," he told Patta, "because my grandma has a bad leg and she can't."

He said he dreams of going to school, but has always had to work instead.

"I feel very bad because I can see my friends going to school, and I am struggling," he said.

Amnesty says "it is widely recognized internationally that the involvement of children in mining constitutes one of the worst forms of child labour, which governments are required to prohibit and eliminate."