Chapter 2:
Properties and
Characteristics
of Materials
Lesson Objectives
Define the different properties and
characteristics of engineering material
Analyze the suitability of materials for specific
electrical engineering applications.
Demonstrate teamwork and critical thinking
during group activities.
What are these materials
used for?
Why are different materials
used for different applications?
What properties make them
suitable for their uses?
"If all materials are made of atoms, why do
they behave so differently?"
Engineering Materials
Composition,
Chemical Bonding,
Types and Properties of
Engineering Materials
Engineers select
materials based
on their
properties and
characteristics to
ensure safety,
efficiency,
reliability, and
cost-
effectiveness.
2.1 Physical
Properties
Definition
Propertiesthat can be
observed without changing
the material's composition.
Examples
Density
Color
Porosity
Mechanical Properties
Definition
Ability of materials to withstand applied forces.
Examples
Strength
Hardness
Toughness
Ductility
Elasticity
Brittleness
1. Strength
Types:
TensileStrength
Compressive
Strength
Shear Strength
Example:
Steel has high
tensile strength.
2. Hardness
Examples:
Diamond is
extremely
hard.
Copper is
relatively soft.
3. Toughness
Example:
Structural
steel.
4. Ductility
Examples:
Copper
Aluminum
4. Malleability
Examples:
Gold
Aluminum
5. Elasticity
Example:
Spring steel.
6. Brittleness
Examples:
Glass
Ceramics
Chemical
Properties
Definition
Behavior of materials
when exposed to
chemical environments.
Examples
Corrosion resistance
Oxidation resistance
Chemical stability
1. Corrosion
Resistance
Examples:
Stainless
steel
Aluminum
2. Oxidation
Resistance
Example:
Aluminum
forms a
protective
oxide layer.
3. Chemical
Stability
Examples:
Ceramics
Certain
polymers
Thermal
Properties
Definition
Response of materials to
heat.
Examples
Thermal conductivity
Thermal expansion
Heat capacity
1. Thermal
Conductivity
Examples:
Copper: Excellent
conductor
Ceramic: Poor
conductor
2. Thermal
Expansion
Examples:
Metalsexpand
when heated.
3. Specific Heat
Capacity
Significance:
Materials with high
specific heat
absorb more heat
before
overheating.
Electrical
Properties
Definition
Ability of a material to
conduct or resist
electrical current.
Examples
Conductivity
Resistivity
Dielectric strength
1. Electrical
Conductivity
Examples:
Silver
(highest
conductivity)
Copper
Aluminum
2. Electrical
Resistivity
Examples:
Nichrome
Carbon
3. Dielectric
Strength
Examples:
Ceramics
Glass
Polymers
Magnetic
Properties
Definition
Response of
materials to
magnetic fields.
1. Ferromagnetic
Materials
Examples:
Iron
Nickel
Cobalt
2. Paramagnetic
Materials
Examples:
Aluminum
Platinum
3. Diamagnetic
Materials
Examples:
Copper
Silver
Optical
Properties
Definition
Interactionof
materials with light.
Examples
Transparency
Reflectivity
Refractive index
Absorption
1. Transparency
Examples:
Glass
Optical fibers
2. Reflectivity
Examples:
Polished
aluminum
Silver
3. Refraction
(Refractive Index)
Bending of
light when
passing
through a
material.
4. Absorption
Examples:
Solarcell
materials
Key Takeaway
For electrical engineers, electrical properties determine
how current flows, thermal properties affect heat
management, magnetic properties enable energy
conversion in motors and transformers, and mechanical
and chemical properties ensure reliability and
durability. The best engineering material is not
necessarily the strongest or most conductive—it is the one
whose combination of properties best matches the
application's requirements.
Activity by pair:
Which Material Rules the World?
Teams defend: Questions:
Which material is most
Metals important for modern
Ceramics technology? Why?
Which is most important
Polymers in electrical
engineering? Why?
Semiconductors
Students support
Composites arguments using
material properties.