Introduction in

Materials Science and

Engineering

Historical Background
The development of societies were
intimately tied by their ability to
produce and manipulate materials to
fill their needs.
Early civilisation: Stone AgeBronze
Age Iron Age

Subdivision
Material Science: Study the
relationships exist between the
structure and properties
Material Engineering: Use these
relationship correlations to design
material with predetermined set of
properties

Categories of Properties
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Mechanical: deformation to applied load or

force.
Thermal: heat capacity and thermal
conductivity
Electrical: Electrical conductivity and
dielectric constant
Magnetic: the response of the material to
the magnetic field
Optical: Response with light radiation;
refraction and reflective indices.
Deteriorative: Chemical reactivity of
materials

Importance Components in
Science and Engineering of
Materials

The Materials Selection

Process
1.

Pick Application

Determine required Properties

Properties: mechanical, electrical, thermal,

magnetic, optical, deteriorative.

2.

Properties

Identify candidate Material(s)

Material: structure, composition.

3.

Material

Identify required Processing

Processing: changes structure and overall shape

ex: casting, sintering, vapor deposition, doping
forming, joining, annealing.
7

Example

Selecting the right materials

Why do Engineering Students study
materials?
3 criteria:
1. Characterisation of in service
conditions: Properties
2. Deterioration of material
3. Cost

Classification of Materials
3 basic classifications: Metals, Ceramics
and Polymers.
Combinations of two or more: Composites.
Advanced Materials: Used for high-tech
applications

Metals
Composed one or metallic materials. Can
be combined with small amts non-metallic
elements (C,N and O).
High density, stiff and strong, resistant
to fracture, good electricity and thermal
conductors, not transparent, nice
appearance. Desirable magnetic
properties (Fe, Co, Ni)

Ceramics
Compounds between metallic and nonmetallic
elements: oxides, nitrides, carbides. Eg.
Alumina Al2O3, Silica SiO2, Silicon carbide
SiC Traditional ceramics (porcelain, cement,
glass)
Stiff and strong, brittle, easily fracture,
electrical and heat insulators,
High resistant to harsh environment
Can be transparent, translucent or opaque
Can exhibit magnetic behaviour (Fe3O4)

Polymers
Plastics and rubber materials, organic compunds
(C, H and O, N, Si). Large molecular structures,
C atoms as backbones. Eg. PE, PVC, PC, PS,
Rubber.
Low density (light), not stiff and strong,
stiffness and strength permass are comparable
to other materials, Extremely ductile (easily
formed to complex shapes), Relatively inert,
easily compose and soften at modest
temperatures, low electrical and thermal
conductivity, non magnetic.

Composites
Composed two or move individual materials
(metals, ceramics, polymers). To achieve a
combination of properties. Eg GFRP, CFRP.
Stiffer and stronger but lighter, more
expensive.

Advanced Materials
Used for high technology applications. Eg.
Computer chips, fiber-optics systems,
aircraft and etc.
Eg. Semiconductors (electronic materials;
silicon, germanium), Biomaterials (artificial
body parts; plastics, titanium allloys ),
smart materials (eg. sensors (optical
fibres, piezoelectric materials), actuators
(piezoelectric ceramics)) and
nanoengineered materials.

Structure, Processing, & Properties

Properties depend on structure

ex: hardness vs structure of steel

(d)

Hardness (BHN)

600
500
400

(c)
(a)

(b)
4 m

300
200

30 m

30 m

100
0.01 0.1

30 m

Data obtained from Figs. 10.30(a)

and 10.32 with 4 wt% C composition,
and from Fig. 11.14 and associated
discussion, Callister 7e.
Micrographs adapted from (a) Fig.
10.19; (b) Fig. 9.30;(c) Fig. 10.33;
and (d) Fig. 10.21, Callister 7e.

1
10 100 1000
Cooling Rate (C/s)

Processing can change structure

ex: structure vs cooling rate of steel

21

THERMAL
Thermal Conductivity
of Copper:

--It decreases when

you add zinc!

300
(W/m-K)

Thermal Conductivity

400

200
100
0

0
10
20
30
Composition (wt% Zinc)

40
22

MAGNETIC
Magnetic Storage:

Magnetic Permeability
vs. Composition:

--Adding 3 atomic % Si
makes Fe a better
recording medium!
Magnetization

--Recording medium
is magnetized by
recording head.

Fe+3%Si
Fe

Magnetic Field
Fig. 20.23, Callister 7e.
(Fig. 20.23 is from J.U. Lemke, MRS
Bulletin,
Vol. XV, No. 3, p. 31, 1990.)

Adapted from C.R. Barrett, W.D. Nix, and

A.S. Tetelman, The Principles of
Engineering Materials, Fig. 1-7(a), p. 9,
1973. Electronically reproduced
by permission of Pearson Education, Inc.,
Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.

23

ELECTRICAL
Electrical Resistivity of Copper:

6
(10-8 Ohm-m)

Resistivity,

5
4
3
2
1
0

3
+
Cu

.3

N
%
t
2a

i
N
%
i
N
at
%
6
at
.1
2
2
1
+
1.
Cu
+
u
dC
e
i
N
rm
o
%
f
at
de
2
1
1.
+
Cu
Cu

e
r
Pu

-200

-100

Adapted from Fig. 18.8, Callister 7e.

(Fig. 18.8 adapted from: J.O. Linde,
Ann Physik 5, 219 (1932); and
C.A. Wert and R.M. Thomson,
Physics of Solids, 2nd edition,
McGraw-Hill Company, New York,
1970.)

T (C)

Adding impurity atoms to Cu increases resistivity.

Deforming Cu increases resistivity.
24

Example Hip Implant

With age or certain illnesses joints deteriorate.
Particularly those with large loads (such as hip).

Adapted from Fig. 22.25, Callister 7e.

25

Example Hip Implant

Adapted from Fig. 22.26, Callister 7e.

26

Hip Implant
Key problems to overcome
fixation agent to hold
acetabular cup
cup lubrication material
must avoid any debris in cup

Ball

Acetabular
Cup and Liner

Femoral
Stem
Adapted from chapter-opening
photograph, Chapter 22, Callister 7e.

27

Different type of materials

used for carbonated drink
container

Criteria might be considered

Provide a barrier to the passage of CO2.
Non-toxic, unreactive with the beverage
Relatively strong (survive if drop a few feet)
Inexpensive (material and processing)
Optically transparent
Capable of having different color/able to be
adorned with decorative label
- Recyclable
-

Learning Outcomes (LO)

At the end of this topic you should be able to:
1. List 6 different property classifications of
property that determine their applicability
2. List 4 components that are involved in the
design, production and utilisation of materials
and their interrelationships.
3. Cite 3 criteria for material selection process
4. List 3 primary classifications of solid
materials and describe briefly the distinctive
feature of each.
5. Define composite material
6. Describe brieflytypes of advanced materials