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METB113
ENGINEERING MATERIALS
INTRODUCTION
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What it is?
Definition
Standard Methods
Applications

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The Mars Rovers - Spirit and
Opportunity

Spirit and Opportunity are made up of materials such as
* Metals * Ceramics * Composites * Polymers * Semiconductors
www.nasa.gov
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What are Materials?
Materials may be defined as substance of which
something is composed or made.
We obtain materials from earth crust and atmosphere.

Examples :-
Silicon and Iron constitute 27.72 and 5.00
percentage of weight of earths crust
respectively.
Nitrogen and Oxygen constitute 78.08 and
20.95 percentage of dry air by volume
respectively.
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Why the Study of Materials is
Important?
Production and processing of materials constitute a large part of our
economy.
Engineers choose materials to suite design.
New materials might be needed for some new applications.

Example :- High temperature resistant materials.
Space station and Mars Rovers should sustain conditions
in space.
* High speed, low temperature, strong but light.
Modification of properties might be needed for some applications.

Example :- Heat treatment to modify properties.
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Materials Science and Engineering
Materials science deals with basic knowledge about the internal
structure, properties and processing of materials.
Materials engineering deals with the application of knowledge
gained by materials science to convert materials to products.
Resultant
Knowledge
of Structure and
Properties
Applied
Knowledge
of Materials
Materials Science
Materials Science and
Engineering
Materials Engineering
Basic
Knowledge
of
Materials
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Types of Materials
Metallic Materials
Composed of one or more metallic elements.
Example:- I ron, Copper, Aluminum.
Metallic element may combine with nonmetallic elements.
Example:- Silicon Carbide, I ron Oxide.
Inorganic and have crystalline structure.
Good thermal and electric conductors.


Metals and Alloys
Ferrous
Eg: Steel,
Cast Iron

Nonferrous
Eg:Copper
Aluminum

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Types of Materials
Polymeric (Plastic) Materials
Organic giant molecules and mostly
noncrystalline.
Some are mixtures of crystalline and
noncrystalline regions.
Poor conductors of electricity and hence used as
insulators.
Strength and ductility vary greatly.
Low densities and decomposition temperatures.

Examples :- Poly vinyl Chloride (PVC), Polyester.
Applications :- Appliances, DVDs, Fabrics etc.


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Types of Materials
Ceramic Materials
Metallic and nonmetallic elements are chemically bonded
together.
Inorganic but can be either crystalline, noncrystalline or
mixture of both.
High hardness, strength and wear resistance.
Very good insulator. Hence used for furnace lining for heat
treating and melting metals.
Also used in space shuttle to insulate it during exit and
reentry into atmosphere.
Other applications : Abrasives, construction materials,
utensils etc.

Example:- Porcelain, Glass, Silicon nitride.
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Types of Materials
Composite Materials
Mixture of two or more materials.
Consists of a filler material and a binding material.
Materials only bond, will not dissolve in each other.
Mainly two types :-
o Fibrous: Fibers in a matrix
o Particulate: Particles in a matrix
o Matrix can be metals, ceramic or polymer
Examples :-
Fiber Glass ( Reinforcing material in a polyester or
epoxy matrix)
Concrete ( Gravels or steel rods reinforced in cement and
sand)
Applications:- Aircraft wings and engine, construction.

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Types of Materials
Electronic Materials

Not Major by volume but very important.
Silicon is a common electronic material.
Its electrical characteristics are changed
by adding impurities.

Examples:- Silicon chips, transistors
Applications :- Computers, Integrated
Circuits, Sattelites etc.
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Competition Among Materials
Materials compete with each
other to exist in new market

Over a period of time usage of
different materials changes
depending on cost and
performance.

New, cheaper or better materials
replace the old materials when
there is a breakthrough in
technology
Example:-
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
l
b
/
C
a
r
1985 1992 1997
Model Year
Aluminum
Iron
Plastic
Steel
Predictions and use of
materials in US automobiles.
Figure 1.14
After J.G. Simon, Adv. Mat. & Proc., 133:63(1988) and new data 1-10
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Future Trends
Metallic Materials
Production follows US economy closely.
Alloys may be improved by better chemistry and
process control.
New aerospace alloys being constantly researched.
o Aim: To improve temperature and corrosion resistance.
o Example: Nickel based high temperature super alloys.
New processing techniques are investigated.
o Aim: To improve product life and fatigue properties.
o Example: Isothermal forging, Powder metallurgy.
Metals for biomedical applications
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Future Trends
Polymeric (Plastic Materials)
Fastest growing basic material (9% per
year).
After 1995 growth rate decreased due to
saturation.
Different polymeric materials can be
blend together to produce new plastic
alloys.
Search for new plastic continues.
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Future Trends
Ceramic Materials
New family of engineering ceramics are produced last
decade
New materials and applications are constantly found.
Now used in Auto and Biomedical applications.
Processing of ceramics is expensive.
Easily damaged as they are highly brittle.
Better processing techniques and high-impact
ceramics are to be found.
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Future Trends
Composite Materials
Fiber reinforced plastics are primary
products.
On an average 3% annual growth from 1981
to 1987.
Annual growth rate of 5% is predicted for
new composites such as Fiberglass-Epoxy and
Graphite-Epoxy combinations.
Commercial aircrafts are expected to use
more and more composite materials.
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Future Trends
Electronic Materials
Use of electronic materials such as silicon
increased rapidly from 1970.
Electronic materials are expected to play vital
role in Factories of Future.
Use of computers and robots will increase
resulting in extensive growth in use of electronic
materials.
Aluminum for interconnections in integrated
circuits might be replaced by copper resulting in
better conductivity.
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Future Trends
Smart Materials : Change their properties by
sensing external stimulus.
Shape memory alloys: Strained material reverts
back to its original shape above a critical
temperature.
Used in heart valves and to expand arteries.

Piezoelectric materials: Produce electric field
when exposed to force and vice versa.
Used in actuators and vibration reducers.
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MEMS and Nanomaterials
MEMS: Microelectromechanical systems.
Miniature devices
Micro-pumps, sensors

Nanomaterials: Characteristic length < 100 nm
Examples: ceramics powder and grain size < 100 nm
Nanomaterials are harder and stronger than bulk
materials.
Have biocompatible characteristics ( as in Zirconia)
Transistors and diodes are developed on a nanowire.
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Case Study Material Selection
Problem: Select suitable material for bicycle
frame and fork.
Low cost but
Heavy. Less
Corrosion
resistance
Light and
strong. But
Cannot be
shaped
Very light and
strong. No
corrosion.
Very expensive
Light, moderately
Strong. Corrosion
Resistance.
expensive
Slightly better
Than Al
alloys. But much
expensive
Cost important? Select steel
Properties important? Select CFRP
Ti and Mg
alloys
Aluminum
alloys
Carbon fiber
Reinforced
plastic
Wood
Steel and
alloys