Material Science
Prof. Satish V. Kailas
Associate Professor
Dept. of Mechanical Engineering,
Indian Institute of Science,
Bangalore – 560012
India
Module-1
Introduction
Contents
1) Historic perspective and Materials Science
2) Why study properties of materials,
Classification of materials
3) Advanced materials, Future materials and
Modern materials’ needs
Historic perspective
¾ Materials are very important in development of human
civilization. In respect, their names are associated in
history, e.g. stone age, Bronze age, Iron age, etc.
¾ With time humans discovered new materials and also
techniques to produce known materials. This is an ongoing
process for coming centuries, i.e. no end in sight!
Materials Science
¾ It can be defined as science dealing the relationships that
exist between the structures and properties of materials,
which are useful in practice of engineer’s profession.
¾ Basic components and their interrelationship:
Structure
Performance
Properties Processing
Properties of Materials
¾ All solid engineering materials are characterized for their
properties.
¾ Engineering use of a material is reflection of its properties
under conditions of use.
¾ All important properties can be grouped into six categories:
Mechanical, Electrical, Thermal, Magnetic, Optical, and
Deteriorative.
¾ Each material possess a structure, relevant properties, which
dependent on processing and determines the performance.
Why Study Properties of Materials?
¾ Since there are thousands of materials available it is almost
impossible to select a material for a specific task unless
otherwise its properties are known.
¾ There are several criteria on which the final decision is based
on.
¾ There are less chances of material possessing optimal or ideal
combination of properties.
¾ A need to trade off between number of factors!
¾ The classic example involves strength and ductility:
- Normally material possessing strength have limited
ductility.In such cases a reasonable compromise between two
or more properties are important.
- A second selection consideration is any deterioration of
material properties during service operations.
- Finally the overriding consideration is economics.
Classification of Materials
¾ Three basic groups of solid engineering materials based on
atomic bonds and structures:
Metals
Ceramics
Polymers
¾ Classification can also be done based on either properties
(mechanical, electrical, optical), areas of applications
(structures, machines, devices). Further we can subdivide
these groups.
¾ According to the present engineering needs:
Composites, Semiconductors, Biomaterials
Metals
¾ Characteristics are owed to non-localized electrons (metallic
bond between atoms) i.e. electrons are not bound to a
particular atom.
¾ They are characterized by their high thermal and electrical
conductivities.
¾ They are opaque, can be polished to high lustre. The opacity
and reflectivity of a metal arise from the response of the
unbound electrons to electromagnetic vibrations at light
frequencies.
¾ Relatively heavier, strong, yet deformable.
E.g.: Steel, Aluminium, Brass, Bronze, Lead, Titanium, etc.
Ceramics
¾ They contain both metallic and nonmetallic elements.
¾ Characterized by their higher resistance to high temperatures
and harsh environments than metals and polymers.
¾ Typically good insulators to passage of both heat and
electricity.
¾ Less dense than most metals and alloys.
¾ They are harder and stiffer, but brittle in nature.
¾ They are mostly oxides, nitrides, and carbides of metals.
¾ Wide range: traditional (clay, silicate glass, cement) to
advanced (carbides, pure oxides, non-silicate glasses).
E.g.: Glass, Porcelain, Minerals, etc.
Polymers
¾ Commercially called plastics; noted for their low density,
flexibility and use as insulators.
¾ Mostly are of organic compounds i.e. based on carbon,
oxygen and other nonmetallic elements.
¾ Consists large molecular structures bonded by covalent and
van der Waals forces.
¾ They decompose at relatively moderate temperatures (100-
400 C).
¾ Application: packaging, textiles, biomedical devices, optical
devices, household items, toys, etc.
E.g.: Nylon, Teflon, Rubber, Polyester, etc.
Composites
¾ Consist more than one kind of material; tailor made to benefit
from combination of best characteristics of each constituent.
¾ Available over a very wide range: natural (wood) to synthetic
(fiberglass).
¾ Many are composed of two phases; one is matrix – which is
continuous and surrounds the other, dispersed phase.
¾ Classified into many groups: (1) depending on orientation of
phases; such as particle reinforced, fiber reinforced, etc. (2)
depending on matrix; metal matrix, polymer matrix, ceramic
matrix.
E.g.: Cement concrete, Fiberglass, special purpose refractory
bricks, plywood, etc.
Semiconductors
¾ Their electrical properties are intermediate when compared
with electrical conductors and electrical insulators.
¾ These electrical characteristics are extremely sensitive to the
presence of minute amounts of foreign atoms.
¾ Found very many applications in electronic devices over
decades through integrated circuits. In can be said that
semiconductors revolutionized the electronic industry for last
few decades.
Biomaterials
¾ Those used for replacement of damaged or diseased body
parts.
¾ Primary requirements: must be biocompatible with body
tissues, must not produce toxic substances.
¾ Important materials factors: ability to support the forces, low
friction and wear, density, reproducibility and cost.
¾ All the above materials can be used depending on the
application.
¾ A classic example: hip joint.
E.g.: Stainless steel, Co-28Cr-6Mo, Ti-6Al-4V, ultra high
molecular weight polyethelene, high purity dense Al-oxide,
etc.
Advanced materials
¾ Can be defined as materials used in high-tech devices i.e.
which operates based on relatively intricate and sophisticated
principles (e.g. computers, air/space-crafts, electronic
gadgets, etc.).
¾ These are either traditional materials with enhanced
properties or newly developed materials with high-
performance capabilities. Thus, these are relatively
expensive.
¾ Typical applications: integrated circuits, lasers, LCDs, fiber
optics, thermal protection for space shuttle, etc.
E.g.: Metallic foams, inter-metallic compounds, multi-
component alloys, magnetic alloys, special ceramics and high
temperature materials, etc.
Future materials
¾ Group of new and state-of-the-art materials now being
developed, and expected to have significant influence on
present-day technologies, especially in the fields of medicine,
manufacturing and defense.
¾ Smart/Intelligent material system consists some type of
sensor (detects an input) and an actuator (performs
responsive and adaptive function).
¾ Actuators may be called upon to change shape, position,
natural frequency, mechanical characteristics in response to
changes in temperature, electric/magnetic fields, moisture,
pH, etc.
Future materials (contd…)
¾ Four types of materials used as actuators:
- Shape memory alloys
- Piezoelectric ceramics
- Magnetostrictive materials
- Electro-/Magneto-rheological fluids
¾ Materials / Devices used as sensors:
- Optical fibers
- Piezoelectric materials
- Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)
- etc.
Future materials (contd…)
¾ Typical applications:
- By incorporating sensors, actuators and chip processors into
system, researchers are able to stimulate biological human-
like behavior.
- Fibers for bridges, buildings, and wood utility poles.
- They also help in fast moving and accurate robot parts, high
speed helicopter rotor blades.
- Actuators that control chatter in precision machine tools.
- Small microelectronic circuits in machines ranging from
computers to photolithography prints.
- Health monitoring detecting the success or failure of a
product.
Modern materials’ needs
¾ Engine efficiency increases at high temperatures; requires
high temperature structural materials.
¾ Use of nuclear energy requires solving problems with
residue, or advance in nuclear waste processing.
¾ Hypersonic flight requires materials that are light, strong and
resist high temperatures.
¾ Optical communications require optical fibers that absorb
light negligibly.
¾ Civil construction – materials for unbreakable windows.
¾ Structures: materials that are strong like metals and resist
corrosion like plastics.
