Materials science introduction

Understanding Materials Science

Materials Science is the study of the properties of materials and the processes by which they are made.
It explores the relationship between materials structure, properties, performance and processing techniques.
Materials scientists seek to understand and manipulate the structure of materials at differing scales (from atomic to macroscopic) to create materials with desired properties.

Materials are broadly classified into metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites.
Metals are good conductors of electricity, are malleable and have strength.
Ceramics include inorganic nonmetallic materials which are typically brittle, strong in compression, and insulating.
Polymers are large molecular substances made up of repeating structural units. They are often soft and have low melting points.
Composites are made of two or more constituent materials with significantly different physical or chemical properties which produce a material with characteristics different from the individual components.

Mechanical properties of materials refer to how materials respond when subjected to mechanical forces, including hardness, toughness, ductility, and malleability.
Thermal properties refer to how a material responds to changes in temperature and to transfer heat, including thermal expansion and specific heat capacity.
Electrical properties refer how a material interacts with electrical forces or fields, including electrical conductivity and resistivity.

Materials can be structured on different scales: atomic, microscopic and macroscopic.
At the atomic scale, different arrangement of atoms and types of atomic bonds can hugely influence properties. For example, metals have a highly organised atomic structure which gives them their characteristic properties.
At the microscopic scale, the organisation of grains, domains, etc., in a material can influence how it behaves.
At the macroscopic scale, the overall shape and size of the material can influence its properties.

Material processing refers to techniques used to manufacture final goods from raw materials.
Different processing techniques impact the overall structure and hence the properties of the final product.
Techniques include casting, welding, sintering, and additive manufacturing among others.

Material scientists work in a wide range of sectors including automotive, aerospace, electronics, sports equipment and healthcare.
They are involved in the development of new materials and processes to meet the requirements or solve problems encountered in these sectors.
With the rise of sustainable development and renewable energy, material science is a rapidly evolving field offering exciting career opportunities.