Material properties and selection criteria

Material Properties

Hardness: the ability of a material to resist scratching or indenting. Hard materials include glass and steel.
Toughness: the ability of a material to absorb energy and withstand shock without cracking or breaking. Examples include rubber and high-density polyethylene.
Ductility: the capacity of a material to change its shape without breaking. Ductile materials include most metals like copper or aluminium.
Malleability: the ability of a material to be hammered thin or bent without breaking, like gold or silver.
Conductivity: measures if a material can transfer heat or electricity.
Elasticity: the ability of a material to return to its original shape after being stretched or compressed.
Density: the mass per unit volume of a material.

Selection Criteria for Materials

Cost-effectiveness: Balancing the performance of a material against its cost is crucial. Often, high-performance materials are more expensive.
Availability: Some materials might be more readily available than others.
Manufacturability: Considerations include ease of machining, fabrication methods available, and tooling costs.
Performance requirements: Depending on the application, the material may need to possess certain properties such as strength, hardness, or corrosion resistance.
Sustainability: Life-cycle analysis might be used to select materials with less environmental impact.
Regulatory requirements: Certain products might be bound by legislation or standards that dictate particular material use.