What sources do you use for metallurgical data to use in your work projects? For example, you may be looking for mechanical and physical properties, or heat treatment properties.
A lot of companies no longer maintain physical libraries, and university libraries are shifting to virtual resources as well. So you might think that the answer is 'Google.' But a good answer to this question would describe how you know whether a source you located on Google is appropriate for your purposes, and what other resources you could bring to bear.
"The easy answer is Google. If I know nothing about a topic and want to get a few general pointers that will take me to more narrowly tailored technical resources, or read a layman's explanation of something, there is nothing wrong with starting with a Google search. I always look to see what the source of the answer is, and I am looking for it to be something other than a Reddit forum or a 'Citizen Q&A' forum of any kind. I am looking for university, science or technical organizations, or writers with verifiable credentials who have posted the sources they used. If I am looking at a set of materials properties that I found in this way, it is only going to be a general guide to me, and I am going to be looking for sufficient definition of test methods and conditions to be able to interpret what I am seeing. In parallel, I would check out databases from organizations like ASM, the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, and other vetted, responsible collators of data. In addition, if we are talking about a very specific alloy, I have found that the manufacturer's own data is a reliable source of information on the exact material you want to know about. Sometimes, the information simply doesn't exist and you either have to extrapolate from a similar material whose data you do have, or even generate your own data if you have the facilities. If not, and if it is important enough, you could potentially require the supplier to do the testing that you need done, or even contract with an independent laboratory. There are plenty of ways to get data. But I think you really have to be careful to verify the quality of the source and how well the data applies to your situation."
