Light metals research - Legacy and current standing

The ever increasing emphasis on the specific strength and the stringent material characteristics
sought in various industries, catering to aerospace, defence, automobiles and load bearing structures
have led to an unprecedented worldwide thrust on the development and processing of light metals
and alloy products. These include Al-, Mg-, and Ti-alloys, metallic foams and metal matrix
composites. CSIR-NML not only has an illustrious legacy but has kept pace with international
research on light metals and alloys till date. Research in this area has culminated in several new
materials and processes, which have seen commercial exploitation and/or transfer of technology to
the industries. This paper highlights the accomplishments of CSIR-NML vis-à-vis contemporary
national and international research trends.