Don Honorio Ventura State University
College of Engineering and Architecture
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Module 2
Properties and Characteristics of Materials
Objectives:
Understand the key properties and characteristics of materials.
Analyze how material properties influence selection and performance in various
applications
Compare and contrast different materials for optimal use in real-world contexts
Introduction to Materials
A material is a substance or mixture of substances that constitutes an
object, possesses inherent properties such as hardness, conductivity,
elasticity, and thermal stability that determine how it behaves and how it can
be used.
Types of materials:
Metals
Non-metals
Polymers
Ceramics
Composites
Physical Properties of Materials
These are characteristics of a material that can be observed or measured
without changing the material's identity or chemical composition. We
generally observe its physicality how a material behaves and interacts with
temperature, pressure, and light, but doesn’t form a new substance it
remains the same.
Color – visual appearance of a material, different materials have unique
colors making easier to differentiate them from other materials and materials
react differently with light. Example is gold a shiny metallic shade of yellow
Density – the amount of mass per unit volume, whether dealing with solid,
liquid, gas you can calculate the mass and volume it takes. Such that lead is
denser than aluminum meaning lead weighs more with the same volume
Melting Point – The melting point is the temperature at which a solid turns
into a liquid. It changes form but still has the same chemical composition.
When ice melts turns into water it is still H2O just different state
Boiling Point – The temperature at which a liquid turns into a gas. Such as
water boils at 100℃
Mechanical properties of Materials
are a behavior of physical properties that describe how a material reacts
when a force is applied to it or changes through stress. Can also be
observed as physical properties as it does not change chemical properties.
This helps us choose the right materials for specific applications based on
how those materials will behave under different types of forces.
Strength – The ability of a material to withstand an applied force without breaking, failing, or
permanently deforming. Examples are Steel and concrete have high strength as they are used for
building structures which is known to withstand forces without any deformation.
Hardness –ability of the material to resist being scratched or dented. A great example of it is
diamond as it is the hardest known material.
Elasticity – Ability of a material to return to its original shape after being stretched or
compressed. Most observable example of this is rubber band as it has the ability to return to its
original shape
Ductility – Ability of a material to be stretched or deformed, usually into wires, without
breaking. Common examples are copper, and aluminum applied for wirings and cables.
Malleability – Ability to be flattened through hammered, pressed, rolled into thin sheets without
breaking or cracking. examples are gold for gold and silver for jewelry. Aluminum for cans
Toughness – The ability of a material to absorb energy and deform without breaking and
fracturing. Example is steel can withstand large amount of stress without cracking or shattering
but will deform but not break.
Brittleness – The tendency of a material to break or shatter easily when subjected to stress
without much deformation. Such as glass is brittle when subjected to stress it shatters and does
not bend.
Stiffness – The resistance of a material to deformation under an applied force. Stiff materials
don’t stretch or bend easily. Such as steel beams are support for a building, it does not easily
bend or deform.
Chemical Properties of Materials
Chemical properties describe how a material interacts with other substances to form new
substances. These properties are concerned with the material's ability to undergo chemical
changes or reactions under certain conditions. To ensure an ideal material is used to a specific
environment.
Reactivity – How a substance reacts with other chemicals. It includes Combustion, materials
interacting with oxygen and heat forming new substances. Such as burning wood creates carbon
dioxide. Also include oxidation and acid based reaction.
Flammability – The ability of a material to catch fire and burn when exposed to heat. Such as
wood, diesel, gas are highly flammable while stone is not.
Acidity/Basicity (pH) – The ability of a material to give or recieve protons (H⁺). Acids have a
pH less than 7, while bases have a pH greater than 7. Vinegar is acidic while soap is basic
Corrosion Resistance – The ability of a material to resist being chemically altered by
environmental factors, such as water, air, or chemicals. Such as stainless steel is corrosion
resistant, wherein iron rust when exposed to oxygen and moisture.
Toxicity – The ability of a material to be harmful or poisonous when ingested, inhaled, or
absorbed. Lead is toxic while clean water is not and can be consumed
Thermal Properties of Materials
Thermal properties describe how a material reacts when exposed to heat or changes in
temperature. As some materials expands, compress, conduct, and resist heat.
Which is important in cookware, building, roads, electronics, jet engines, etc.
Thermal Conductivity – The ability of a material to conduct heat. Heat
moves quickly on metals like copper and aluminum. While wood and plastic
move slowly. It is important to know which insulator or materials are needed
depending on heat transfer
Thermal Expansion – The tendency of a material to expand when heated
and contract when cooled. Important in construction as they are always
exposed to sunlight.
