Ch 1 - Introduction

1.1-Introduction;
1.2-Design, materials and manufacturing;
1.3-Properties of engineering materials;
1.4-Cost and availability;
1.5-Some trends and difficulties.

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 Ch 1 - Introduction
1.1-Introduction.

Why should an engineer ... study materials?

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1.2-Design, materials and manufacturing.

Design problem involving materials...selecting the right materials...manufacturing processes

• Suitability to fit the design and shape

• Properties...(Ex. Strength and ductility)
• Processing techniques
• In-service conditions (stability). [Ex. Reduction in mechanical strength /
high temperature / corrosive environments]
• Aesthetic properties
• Environmental and social factors
• Economics
... ...
“The more familiar an engineer with the various characteristics and structure-properties
relationship, and processing techniques; the more proficient and confident she/he to make
good choices based on the selection criteria's.”

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1.3-Properties of engineering materials.
Based on chemical make up and atomic structure materials can be classified into:

Metals: iron; aluminium; copper; gold...etc.

(C,O...non metallic elements)

Polymers: plastic and rubber ( organic compounds...C,H).

Extremely ductile and pliable (easily formed into complex shapes)

Ceramics and Glasses: porcelain; glass; cement.

Relatively stiff and strong, hard, ceramics are extremely brittle
(lack ductility)

Composites: composed of two or more individual materials (naturally and man made)
Bone, Wood, Fibreglass, Carbon Fibre (CFRP). 4
 Ch 1 - Introduction

Materials utilized in high-tech applications...called advanced materials

“It is traditional materials whose properties have been enhanced”

Semiconductors: Intermediate electrical properties.

Biomaterials: Component implanted in human body.

Nano-engineered materials: Grain size 100 nanometers (500 atoms diameter).

Example carbon nano-tubes.

Smart materials (intelligent materials): Have the ability to sense changes in their
environments and respond to these changes. Example shape memory alloy and
MIMS (microelectromechanicaldevices)

Nano-engineered materials and Smart materials ...Materials of the future

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Properties of materials (categories):

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Metals: Electrical conductors.
Ceramics: Electrical resistive (Insulating materials).
Polymers: Electrical resistive (Insulating materials).

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1.4-Cost and availability.

Choice of materials for particular application (engineering structure) can be

influenced by another factors such as...cost...availability?

Examples?

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1.5-some trends and difficulties.

Design; Properties; Manufacturing techniques; Cost; Availability;......

• Mineral/material resources are not renewable (finite)...

Copper, lead and silver...resources could be exhausted in our lifetime...

• Energy consumed in production and processing some metals becomes an

issue...

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 End of Ch 1

Next

Ch 2 – Atomic structure and bonding

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