CANMET–MTL’s research helps to support industries that employ more than 400,000 Canadians. These industries, which are constantly striving to improve their competitiveness, include steel and metal product manufacturers; automotive assembly and parts production; metal building construction; and advanced materials, as well as industries associated with pipelines; next-generation energy production; environmental technologies; and defence.

CANMET–MTL has contributed to the success of these important Canadian industries through numerous achievements, from the development of environmentally friendly copper-base alloys to lightweight material technology used by the transportation sector to help improve vehicle fuel efficiency. Specialized test methodologies developed at CANMET–MTL are being used to predict materials reliability in harsh environments.

The CANMET–MTL lab also has a long history of successful collaboration with private industry in the development of high-performance metals and new processes to enhance manufacturing and construction. Among many examples, its researchers have been working with Evraz North America Incorporated to develop high-strength steels for northern pipeline construction. This research is focusing on new compositions of steel pipe that can be welded and function in extreme cold.

CANMET–MTL continues to strengthen its capacity for automotive materials research and is working with ArcelorMittal Dofasco and U.S. Steel Canada to develop lighter, stronger steels for the automotive industry. These materials have the potential to play a key role in reducing vehicle weight to improve both fuel efficiency and safety.

CANMET–MTL researchers are also working with university and industry partners across Canada and internationally to make vehicles lighter and more fuel-efficient by incorporating magnesium into the front end of automobiles. Building on these partnerships at home and abroad is essential to lever Canadian efforts into world-class successes and to accelerate the pace of discovery and commercialization in Canada.

CANMET–MTL also provides scientific analysis supporting the development of standards and materials specifications by the Canadian Standards Association and the National Energy Board. This research includes establishing the performance specifications for new high-strength steels for the pipeline industry and value-added minerals and metals processing.