The Science and Engineering
of Materials, 4 edDonald R.
th
Askeland – Pradeep P. Phulé
Chapter 1 – Introduction to Materials
Science and Engineering
Objectives of Chapter 1
Introduce the field of materials science and
engineering (MSE)
Provide introduction to the classification of
materials
Chapter Outline
1.1 What is Materials Science and
Engineering?
1.2 Classification of Materials
1.3 Functional Classification of
Materials
1.4 Classification of Materials Based
on Structure
1.5 Environmental and Other Effects
1.6 Materials Design and Selection
Section 1.1 What is Materials
Science and Engineering?
Materials Science and Engineering
Composition means the chemical make-up of a
material.
Structure means a description of the arrangements
of atoms or ions in a material.
Synthesis is the process by which materials are
made from naturally occurring or other chemicals.
Processing means different ways for shaping
materials into useful components or changing their
properties.
© 2003 Brooks/Cole Publishing / Thomson Learning™
Introduction to Chapter 1
Figure 1.1 Application of the tetrahedron of materials science and engineering to
ceramic superconductors. Note that the microstructure-synthesis and processing-
composition are all interconnected and affect the performance-to-
cost ratio
Figure 1.2 Application of the tetrahedron of materials science and engineering to
sheet steels for automotive chassis. Note that the microstructure-synthesis and
processing-composition are all interconnected and affect the performance-to-cost
ratio
Figure 1.3 Application of the tetrahedron of materials science and engineering
to semiconducting polymers for microelectronics
Section 1.2 Classification of
Materials
Metals and Alloys
Ceramics, Glasses,and Glass-ceramics
Polymers (plastics), Thermoplastics and Thermosets
Semiconductors
Composite Materials
Table 1.1 Representative examples,
applications, and properties for each
category of materials
Example of Applications Properties
Metals and Alloys
Gray cast iron Automobile engine blocks Castable, machinable,
vibration damping
Ceramics and
Glasses
SiO2-Na2O-CaO Window glass Optically transparent,
thermally insulating
Polymers
Polyethylene Food packaging Easily formed into thin,
flexible, airtight film
Table 1.1 Continued
Example of Applications Properties
Semiconductors
Silicon Transistors and integrated Unique electrical
circuits behavior
Composites Carbide cutting tools for High hardness, yet
Tungsten carbide machining good shock
resistance
-cobalt (WC-Co)
Figure 1.4 Representative strengths of various categories of materials
Figure 1.5 A section through a jet engine.
The forward compression section
operates at low to medium temperatures,
and titanium parts are often used. The
rear combustion section operates at high
temperatures and nickel-based
superalloys are required. The outside
shell experiences low temperatures, and Figure 1.6 A variety of complex ceramic
aluminum and composites are components, including impellers and
satisfactory. (Courtesy of GE Aircraft blades, which allow turbine engines to
Engines.) operate more efficiently at higher
temperatures. (Courtesy of Certech, Inc.)
Figure 1.7 Polymerization occurs when small molecules, represented by the circles,
combine to produce larger molecules, or polymers. The polymer molecules can have a
structure that consists of many chains that are entangled but not connected
(thermoplastics) or can form three-dimensional networks in which chains are cross-
linked (thermosets)
Figure 1.8 Polymers are Figure 1.9 Integrated Figure 1.10 The X-wing for
used in a variety of circuits for computers advanced helicopters relies
electronic devices, and other electronic on a material composed of
including these computer devices rely on the unique a carbon-fiber-
dip electrical behavior of reinforced polymer.
switches, where moisture semiconducting (Courtesy of Sikorsky
resistance and low materials. (Courtesy of Aircraft Division—United
conductivity are required. Rogers Corporation.) Technologies
(Courtesy of CTS Corporation.)
Corporation.)
Section 1.3 Functional
Classification of Materials
Aerospace
Biomedical
Electronic Materials
Energy Technology and Environmental Technology
Magnetic Materials
Photonic or Optical Materials
Smart Materials
Structural Materials
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Section 1.4 Classification of Materials-Based
on Structure
Crystalline material is a material comprised of one or
many crystals. In each crystal, atoms or ions show a
long-range periodic arrangement.
Single crystal is a crystalline material that is made of
only one crystal (there are no grain boundaries).
Grains are the crystals in a polycrystalline material.
Polycrystalline material is a material comprised of
many crystals (as opposed to a single-crystal
material that has only one crystal).
Grain boundaries are regions between grains of a
polycrystalline material.
Section 1.5 Environmental and
Other Effects
Effects of following factors must be accounted for in
design to ensure that components do not fail
unexpectedly:
Temperature
Corrosion
Fatigue
Strain Rate
Figure 1.12 Increasing
temperature normally
reduces the strength of a
material. Polymers are
©
suitable only at low
2 temperatures. Some
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and ceramics, have excellent
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Figure 1.13 Skin operating temperatures for aircraft have increased with the
development of improved materials. (After M. Steinberg, Scientific American,
October, 1986.)
Figure 1-14 Schematic of a X-33 plane prototype. Notice the use of different
materials for different parts. This type of vehicle will test several components
for the Venturestar (From ‘‘A Simpler Ride into Space,’’ by T.K. Mattingly,
October, 1997, Scientific American, p. 125. Copyright © 1997 Slim Films.)
Section 1.6 Materials Design and
Selection
Density is mass per unit volume of a material,
usually expressed in units of g/cm3 or lb/in.3
Strength-to-weight ratio is the strength of a material
divided by its density; materials with a high
strength-to-weight ratio are strong but lightweight.
