ENG 2223 Tutorial 1 (Solution)

Question 1
Classes of Materials Examples Application
Metal 1. Aluminium 1. Piston Head
2. Carbon steel 2. Construction structure
3. Cast iron 3. Engine block
Polymer 1. Natural Rubber 1. Glove
2. Epoxy 2. Adhesive
3. Polyethylene 3. Food container
Ceramic 1. Alumina 1. Crucible for high
2. Calcium carbonate temperature
3. Silicone Carbide 2. cement
3. Drill bit
Composites 1. Carbon Fiber 1. Aeroplane part.
Reinforced epoxy 2. Decking
composite 3. Rotor disc
2. Wood Plastic
Composites
3. Silicone carbine
reinforced aluminium
composites
Semiconductor 1. Silicone 1. Processor
2. Germanium 2. Camera sensor
3. Gallium 3. LED

Question 2*
Metal: Material composed of one or more metallic elements and also small amount of non-
metallic elements
Ceramic: inorganic materials that are composed of metallic and non-metallic elements.
Polymer: Organic materials that are chemically based on carbon, hydrogen, and other
nonmetallic element.
Properties of Metal: relatively high strength, high stiffness, ductility, good electric and
thermal conductivity (any three).
Properties of Ceramic: relatively high stiffness, very hard, brittle, insulated to passage of
heat and electricity, high resistance to high temperature (any three).
Properties of Polymer: low density, low strength, good chemical and corrosion resistant,
good electrical and thermal insulation (any three).
Question 3*
Composites. Example: concrete (cement and steel), glass fiber reinforced polymer, wood
(cellulose fiber and lignin matrix), silica carbide reinforced aluminum rotor disc, carbon fiber
reinforced polymer composites. (any two or other suitable example)
Question 4 (i)
1. Non-toxic and unreactive with the beverages
2. Relatively strong and provide good barrier of CO2
3. Recyclable
Question 4 (ii) & (iii)
Type of material Advantages Disadvantages
Metal  Strong  Easily dented
(Aluminium)  Good barrier to diffusion  Optically opaque
of CO2  Expensive
 Easily recycled
 Cool beverages rapidly
 Labels may be painted
onto its surface
Glass  Recyclable  Cracks and fractures
(Ceramic)  Inexpensive easily
 Impervious to passage of  Heavy
CO2
Polymer  Strong  Not as impervious as
(Polyester plastic)  Can be optically aluminium and glass to
transparent passage of CO2
 Inexpensive
 Lightweight
 Recyclable

Question 5
Smart materials are designed materials that have one or more properties that can be
significantly charged in a controlled fashion by external stimuli.
Example, Self-healing polymeric material, photochromic lens, memory shape material

Question 6
Nanotechnology is science, engineering and technology conducted at the nanoscale, which is
about 1 to 100 nanometers. Engineers manipulate and move atoms and molecules to form
new structure.
i) Automotive: nano carbon or nano silica as reinforced filler in tyre
ii) Water purification: nano hollow fiber used to produce membrane for water filtration
system. Nano silver used in filtration system to kill bacterial
iii) Sport: nano titanium used as reinforced filler in tennis racketframe.
Question 7*
 Thermoplastic become soft (or viscous-elestic from) when it heated and it become solid when it
cooled.
Thermoset is in viscous liquid form and it become solid when it cured or set.

 Thermoplastic can be recyclable

Thermoset is non-recyclabel.