Engineering Materials
IPE 1203
Chapter - 1
Md. Tanjid Hossen Irfan
Lecturer, IEM, KUET
What is materials?
The term "materials" refers to substances in a broad sense,
encompassing all types of matter, both natural and synthetic. It
includes everything from raw materials like wood, metals,
minerals, and chemicals to processed materials like plastics,
composites, and alloys.
What is Engineering materials?
Engineering materials specifically refers to materials that are
selected, designed, and tailored for engineering applications.
These materials are chosen based on their specific properties and
characteristics to meet the requirements of a particular
engineering task or project. It highlights the purpose and
application-oriented nature of the materials.
Ex: Polymer, Ceramics
1. Design and Selection:
Understanding engineering materials is crucial for designing
and selecting appropriate materials for various applications.
Different materials have distinct properties and behaviors,
and knowing their strengths, weaknesses, and limitations
enables engineers to make informed decisions about material
selection.
2. Performance and Durability:
Engineering materials directly impact the performance and
durability of engineered systems. Any deterioration may
affect the service operation. For example, significant
reduction in mechanical strength may result from exposure to
elevated temperature.
3. Manufacturing and Processing:
Different materials require specific fabrication methods, such
as casting, machining, forging, welding, molding, or additive
manufacturing.
4. Safety:
By studying engineering materials, we can learn about the
impact of materials on environmental sustainability,
recyclability, and the reduction of waste and emissions.
5. Economics:
A material may be found that has the ideal set of properties
but is prohibitively expensive. The cost of a finished piece
also includes any expense incurred during fabrication to
produce the desired shape.
1. Metals:
Composed of one or more metallic elements (Fe, Al), and often
also nonmetallic elements (C, N). Atoms in metals
and their alloys are arranged in a very orderly manner. These
materials are relatively stiff and strong, yet are ductile.
Ferrous Metals: Iron, steel, cast iron, stainless steel
Non-Ferrous Metals: Aluminum, copper, brass, bronze,
titanium
2. Polymers:
A polymer is a large molecule made up of repeating subunits called
monomers. Polymers can be both naturally occurring and synthetic.
They are not as stiff nor as strong as these other material types.
These materials typically have low densities.
Thermoplastics: Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP),
polystyrene(PS)
Thermosetting Plastics: Epoxy, phenolic, polyurethane
3. Ceramics:
Ceramics are compounds between metallic and nonmetallic
elements. They are most frequently oxides, nitrides, and carbides.
With regard to mechanical behavior, ceramic materials are relatively
stiff and strong—stiffnesses and strengths are comparable to those
of the metals. They are typically hard but extremely brittle.
Example: Alumina, zirconia, silicon carbide
4. Composites:
A composite is composed of two (or more) individual materials,
which come from the categories discussed above—viz., metals,
ceramics, and polymers. The design goal of a composite is to
achieve a combination of properties that is not displayed by any
single material, and also to incorporate the best characteristics of
each of the component materials.
Fiber-Reinforced Composites: Carbon fiber reinforced polymer
(CFRP), glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP)
Particle-Reinforced Composites: Metal matrix composites
(MMCs), ceramic matrix composites (CMCs)
5. Semiconductors:
Semiconductors have electrical properties that are intermediate
between the electrical conductors (viz. metals and metal alloys) and
insulators (viz. ceramics and polymers).
Example: Silicon(Si), Galliumarsenide(GaAs)
6. Biomaterials:
Biomaterials are employed in components implanted into the
human body for replacement of diseased or damaged body parts.
These materials must not produce toxic substances and must be
compatible with body tissues.
Metals: Stainless steel, titanium alloys
Polymers: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyether ether ketone
(PEEK)