Materials in Domestic and Industrial Applications

Defining Materials

Materials refer to the substance or substances out of which a thing is or can be made.
They can be in any state of matter: solid, liquid or gas.
Their properties define their interactions and uses.

Materials are broadly classified into Metals, Polymers, Ceramics, and Composites.
Metals are typically hard, robust, ductile, malleable, and good conductors of heat and electricity.
Polymers are usually flexible and have a wide variety of properties.
Ceramics are typically hard, brittle, and resistant to heat and corrosion.
Composites are made by physically combining two or more materials to create superior properties.

Metals are used for cutlery, frames for glasses, wiring for electricity due to their strength and conductivity.
Polymers are used in packaging, clothing, and utensils due to their versatility and lightweight.
Ceramics are employed in cookware, cutlery, and glassware due to their heat resistance and robustness.
Composites are used in furniture, tools, and sports equipment for their superior combination of properties.

Metals are extensively used in infrastructure, machinery, and transport due to their strength and durability.
Polymers are widely used in manufacturing industries for packaging and product design due to their moldability and resistance to many chemicals.
Ceramics are used in industries such as electronics and aerospace for their heat resistance and electrical resistance.
Composites are used where a combination of properties is required, such as in the aerospace industry, for strength and light weight.

The extraction, processing, and disposal of materials all have an environmental impact.
Sustainable material management is a key concept in reducing the total environmental impact.

Recycling helps in reducing the environmental impact of material production.
However, not all materials can be recycled efficiently, and the quality can degrade with each cycle.