General Material Classifications

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Introduction Introduction General Classifications Metals Ceramics Polymers Composites

General Material Classifications

There are thousands of materials available for use in engineering applications. Most materials fall into one of three classes that are based on the atomic bonding Structure of Materials Atomic Bonds forces of a particular material. These three Solid State Structure classifications are metallic, ceramic and polymeric. Metallic Crystalline Structure Solidification Additionally, different materials can be combined to Anisotropy and Isotropy create a composite material. Within each of these Crystal Defects Elastic/Plastic Deformation classifications, materials are often further organized Fatigue Crack Initiation into groups based on their chemical composition or Diffusion Property Modification certain physical or mechanical properties. Composite Ceramic Structures materials are often grouped by the types of materials combined or the way the materials Polymer Structure are arranged together. Below is a list of some of the commonly classification of materials Composite Structures within these four general groups of materials. Physical and Chemical Metals Polymeric Ferrous metals and alloys (irons, carbon steels, alloy steels, stainless steels, tool and die steels) Nonferrous metals and alloys (aluminum, copper, magnesium, nickel, titanium, precious metals, refractory metals, superalloys) Ceramics Glasses Glass ceramics Graphite Diamond Thermoplastics plastics Thermoset plastics Elastomers
Properties Phase Transformation Temp Density Specific Gravity Thermal Conductivity Thermal Expansion Electrical Conductivity Magnetic Properties Oxidation and Corrosion Mechanical Properties -Loading -Stress & Strain Tensile Compression, Bearing, & Shear Hardness Creep & Stress Rupture Toughness -Impact Toughness -Notch Toughness -Fracture Toughness Fatigue -S-N Fatigue -Fatigue Crack Growth Rate Selection of Materials Specific Metals Metal Ores Iron and Steel Decarburization Aluminum/Aluminum Alloys Nickel and Nickel Alloys Titanium and Titanium Alloys General Manufacturing Processes Metallic Components

Composites Reinforced plastics Metal-matrix composites Ceramic-matrix composites Sandwich structures Concrete

Each of these general groups will be discussed in more detail in the following pages.

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26-Dec-13 10:13 AM