Lec#3 Materials
Classification
D. Navaja
MSE101
Classification of Materials
Linen, cotton, nylon, Kevlar
• Materials used in the design and manufacture of
products
• Plastics / Polymers
Balsa wood model
• Wood
• Composites
Tungsten carbide tool bit
• Ceramics
• Metals
• Fabrics Layers of polycarbonate,
aluminium & acrylic
Acrylic lens Steel, aluminium
Classification of Materials
(Polymers)
•Polymers can be further classified as;
•Thermoplastic
•Thermoset
•Elastomers
Thermoplastics Thermosets Elastomers
Acrylics Epoxy resins Rubbers
Nylons Phenolic Silicones
PVC Polyesters Polyurethanes
Polyethylene
Classification of Materials (Wood)
• Wood can be further categorised as;
• Hardwood
• Softwood
• Manufactured board
Hardwood Softwood Manufactured
Board
Oak Pine Plywood
Ash Cedar Blockboard
Beech Fir MDF
Sycamore Spruce Melamine
board
Classification of Materials (Ceramics)
• Ceramics are compounds of metallic and non-
metallic elements, examples include;
• Oxides (alumina – insulation and abrasives,
zirconia – dies for metal extrusion and
abrasives)
• Carbides (tungsten-carbide tools)
• Nitrides (cubic boron nitride, 2nd in hardness
to diamond)
Classification of Materials (Metals)
•Metals can be further classified as Ferrous
& Non-Ferrous, some examples include;
Ferrous Non-Ferrous
Steels Aluminium
Stainless Steels Copper
High Speed Steels Brass
Cast Irons Titanium
Classification of Materials (Fabrics)
•Fabrics can be further classified as natural
and synthetic Polyester kite
Natural Synthetic
Cotton Nylon
Canvas deck
Space Suit chair
Canvas Polyester
Materials used in space suits
include aluminized Mylar,
neoprene coated nylon, dacron,
urethane coated nylon, tricot and
spandex. The outer layer is a
blend of Gortex, Kevlar and
Nomex Cotton T-shirt Polyester marine rope
Classification of Materials
(Composites)
• A composite is a combination of two or more
chemically distinct materials whose physical
characteristics are superior to its constituents
acting independently.
• Because of their high strength/stiffness to weight
ratio they are widely used in the;
• Aerospace industry
• Offshore structures
• Boats
• Sporting goods
Classification of Materials
(Composites)
• Examples of composites include;
• Reinforced Plastics
• Ceramic-matrix
• Metal-Matrix
• Laminates
Classification of Materials
(Advanced Materials)
• Materials that are utilized in high-technology
(or high-tech) applications
• Semiconductors
Materials with electrical properties that are
intermediate between the electrical
conductors (viz. metals and metal alloys)
and insulators (viz. ceramics and
polymers)
• Biomaterials
components implanted into the human
body for
replacement of diseased or damaged body
parts
Classification of Materials
(Smart Materials)
• A smart material can be described as a material
that has a useful response to external influences or
stimuli.
• A smart material can also be described as a
material which has engineered properties created
through the development of specialized process and
synthesis technologies.
Classification of Materials
(Smart Materials)
•Other more modern examples of smart
materials include;
•Shape memory polymers and alloys
Heat shrink tubing and packaging
Automatic actuators – open/close greenhouse windows
Thermostats for heating control
•Piezoelectric Materials
Sensors, musical cards, motors,
actuators, clocks
Classification of Materials
(Smart Materials)
•Smart Wire
Actuators, linear, angular and rotary
Anthromorphic actuation – human like robotic motion
•Smart Link Silicone
Allows rotary motion between shafts up to 3600
•Smart Fluids
Motion control gel – CD tray opening/closing,
camera lenses
Ferro fluids – earthquake dampers in
buildings, hard disks
•Chameleon Colours
Car paints, printing inks, packaging
Classification of Materials
(Smart Materials)
Shape Memory Alloy (SMA)
Shape memory alloy can “remember” their shape when heated above a certain
transistion temperature
Industrial Applications:
Greenhouse window Oil-level adjustment
NiTi eyeglass frame.
system. Open/close device in high speed train.
depending on room temp.
Classification of Materials
(Smart Materials)
•Other more modern examples of smart
materials include;
•Thermocolour Sheet
This is a self adhesive
sheet whose colour
changes according to the
temperature. Used for
thermometers, heat warning
patches and novelty
Sheet changes
Finger
Inactivated
colour
placedaccording
on
Sheet
sheet to temp
advertising of products
Coors Light Beer Label
• Cold Activated Bottle for 12-oz glass
bottles of Coors Light indicates
when it’s ready for drinking.
• Thermochromic inks used on the
label’s white lettering and Rocky
Mountain icon turn BLUE once the
beer reaches optimal drinking
temperature.
• Color start to change at 80C
• Optimal color at 40C to 60C
Classification of Materials
(Smart Materials)
•Other more modern examples of smart
materials include;
•Phosphorescent Sheet
This is a sheet that absorbs
light energy and re-emits it
as white light for up to eight
hours. Used extensively for
emergency lighting in the
event of a power cut
Classification of Materials
(Smart Materials)
•Other more modern examples of smart
materials include;
•Magnetic Sheet
This is a flat polymer
magnetic sheet as used in
fridge magnets. Also
available in thin A4 sheets
that can be printed on
Classification of Materials
(Smart Materials)
•Other more modern examples of smart
materials include;
•Rigid PVC Foam Plastic
This is a new generation of
sheet material used widely for
signs and exhibitions -
Thermoforms
Classification of Materials
(Smart Materials)
•Other more modern examples of smart
materials include;
•Galvanised Effect Card
This is almost identical to
the real thing. Ideal for
project mock-ups. It is
relatively cheap and cuts
easily with a scissors or
craft knife. Used for
packaging of top branded
goods
Classification of Materials
(Smart Materials)
•Other more modern examples of smart
materials include;
•Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC)
•A QTC in its normal state is a perfect insulator
•When compressed it becomes a perfect conductor
•If only lightly compressed its conductivity is proportional to the
pressure applied
How does it work?
In normal physics an electron cannot pass through an insulation
barrier.
In Quantum physics theory a wave of electrons can pass through an
insulator – this is what is happening!
Classification of Materials
(Smart Materials)
•Other more modern examples of smart
materials include;
•Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC)
Battery
LED
QTC Pill
Classification of Materials
(Smart Materials)
Quantum Tunnelling Composite (QTC)
Before pressure is applied
Firm pressure being applied
Light Pressure being applied
NASA’s ROBONAUT
• Robonaut was invented
on July 2009 to handle
tasks that require
dexterity.
• A humanoid working
alongside astronauts.
• QTC is used for for
fingertip sensing – how
hard and where it was
gripping.
NASA - http://robonaut.jsc.nasa.gov/R1/index.asp
Modern Materials’ Needs
• There still remain technological challenges, including
the development of even more sophisticated and
specialized materials as well as consideration of the
environmental impact of materials production.
• Nuclear Energy
• Enhancing Fuel Efficiency
• Need to find new, economical sources of energy and to use
present resources more efficiently.
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell
• Environmental Hazards
• Recycling Technologies
Reading Assignment
• Read Chapter 2 – Atomic Structure and
Interatomic Bonding
