Selection and properties of materials
Selection and Properties of Materials
Ferrous Metals
- Includes iron and its alloys, most commonly steel.
- Known for their strength and durability.
- Often used in construction, automotive industry and manufacturing of tools.
- Tend to corrode or rust when exposed to air and moisture.
Non-ferrous Metals
- Metals other than iron or steel, such as aluminium, copper, brass, lead, and zinc.
- Generally more resistant to corrosion and are lighter than ferrous metals.
- Common uses include electrical wiring (copper) and food/beverage cans (aluminium).
Polymers
- Also known as plastics, are made up of large, repeating chains of molecules.
- Tend to be lightweight, resilient, and can be molded into different shapes
- Used in a wide variety of applications due to their versatility, from packaging to automotive components.
Ceramics
- Hard, brittle materials made by firing at high temperatures.
- Are good insulators of heat and electricity and highly resistant to wear, heat, and chemical attack.
- Commonly used in products like bricks, glass, and pottery.
Composites
- Made from two or more different materials that are combined to harness their individual properties.
- Have a mix of properties from the constituent materials, such as strength, lightweight, or resistance to heat/corrosion.
- Widely used in aerospace, automotive industries, and sports equipment.
Selection based on Properties of Materials
- Always consider properties of materials when making a selection for a specific application.
- These properties include density, ductility, malleability, hardness, strength, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity among others.
- Also take into consideration any processing requirements or specific environmental conditions the material will be exposed to.