Various methods and models in support of FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and re-usable) science data exist and emerge. One approach to represent such data are ontologies. While it seems to be a good approach to name concepts as well as corresponding classes and properties in an unique fashion via ontologies, it is difficult to avoid redundancies or subtle discrepancies between efforts that model data ontologically--especially if they are developed in parallel. The Ontology Web Language (OWL) comes with capabilities to map or connect to other semantic definitions that are broader, narrower, and equivalent.
This work uses OWL and a very concise and MSE (material science engineering) specific mid-level ontology called the PMD (Platform Material Digital) Core Ontology to showcase how a small intermediate ontological scaffolding for various applications in one domain of application can help to stage the target of semantic interoperability that ontologies ultimately try to achieve. One specifically selected use case is presented, leveraging the PMD Core Ontology to represent a well-understood reference process in high detail and with highly curated precision: a digital twin of a real world steel alloy (42CrMo4) and a corresponding provenance record of it's heat treatment, tensile testing, and metallographic evaluation. Additionally, a mapping to a selected set of complementary ontologies is presented and discussed in detail. The purpose of the described MSE reference process is to showcase the applicability and usefulness of ontological modeling for the scientific publication process, despite the various competing modeling processes today.