ENGR 2320 – Materials and Processes for ABE

Laboratory Exercise 1 – Classification of Materials

Name : CABURNAY, RICARDO JR, M. Section : BSABE 3-4

Introduction:

Materials are probably more significant in our culture than we realize, Materials have
been vital to human growth, wealth, security, and quality of life since the dawn of history, and
they have been among the greatest achievements of every period. Materials, whether in civil,
chemical, construction, nuclear, aeronautical, agricultural, mechanical, biomedical, or electrical
engineering, are always the ones that open the door to new technologies. Material
characteristics knowledge enables the designer not only to make the best material selection
based on its application in each product, but also to overcome its limits and constraints in a
design path where materials and transformation technologies become variables of the creation
process. Any material that can be used for construction is referred to as a building material.
Wood, concrete, steel, cement, aggregates, bricks, clay, metal, and many other materials are
commonly used. People used to build with pure bricks, wood, or straw in the past. Engineers in
the modern era, on the other hand, have learned to mix and match the right materials to create
higher quality structures. Of course, the decision is always influenced by the client's budget and
the effectiveness of the materials used in construction projects.

I. Objectives

After performing the exercise, you are expected to:

a. Be able to Identify the different classification of materials that are commonly
used in engineering;
b. Be able to be familiarized with the different possible use of various eng’g.
materials.

II. Activities

Research on the internet or available books to answer the following questions;

1. Classify the materials of construction used by engineers and discuss the common
features of each group/classification.
2. Provide examples of engineering materials that are group according to the
classification in the answer to question 1.
3. Define a crystalline substance.
4. How does a crystalline state differ from the amorphous state?
5. Define grain in metals. What are the factors that control the grain size of a
metal?
 6. Define Allotropy.

Basic Classification of Engineering Materials

1. Metals
2. Non- Metals
Metals are polycrystalline bodies with many fine crystals that are differentially oriented.
Major metals are normally solid at room temperature. Some metals, such as mercury, are,
however, liquid at room temperature. Except for hydrogen, all elements that form positive ions
by losing electrons during chemical reactions are called metals. Thus, metals are electropositive
elements with relatively low ionization energies. They are characterized by bright luster,
hardness, ability to resonate sound and are excellent conductors of heat and electricity. Metals
are solids under normal conditions except for Mercury. Every metal has a high thermal and
electrical conductivity. All metals have a temperature coefficient of resistance that is positive.
Means resistance of metals increases with increase in temperature. Examples of metals – Silver,
Copper, Gold, Aluminum, Iron, Zinc, Lead, Tin etc.
Metals can be further divided into two groups-
Ferrous Metals –
All ferrous metals are having iron as common element. All ferrous materials are having very
high permeability which makes these materials suitable for construction of core of electrical
machines. Examples: Cast Iron, Wrought Iron, Steel, Silicon Steel, High Speed Steel, Spring Steel
etc.
Non-Ferrous Metals –
All non-ferrous metals are having very low permeability. Example: Silver, Copper, Gold,
Aluminum etc.
Non-Metal materials are non-crystalline in nature. Elements that tend to gain electrons to form
anions during chemical reactions are called non-metals. These are electronegative elements
with high ionization energies. They are non-lustrous, brittle, and poor conductors of heat and
electricity (except graphite. These exists in amorphic or mesomorphic forms. These are
available in both solid and gaseous forms at normal temperature. Normally all non-metals are
bad conductor of heat and electricity. As these non-metals are having very high resistivity which
makes them suitable for insulation purpose in electrical machines.
Examples: Plastics, Rubber, Leathers, Asbestos etc.
 Difference between Metals and Non Metals
Sl.
Property Metals Non-Metals
No.

All metals are having crystalline All Non-metals are having amorphic &
1. Structure
structure mesomorphic structure

State varies material to material. Some are

Generally metals are solid at normal
2. State gas state and some are in solid state at
temperature
normal temperature.

Valence electrons are tightly bound with

Valance electrons are free to move
Valance electrons nucleus which are not free to move. This
3. within metals which makes them
and conductivity makes them bad conductor of heat &
good conductor of heat & electricity
electricity

4. Density High density Low density

5. Strength High strength Low strength

6. Hardness Generally hard Hardness is generally varies

7. Malleability Malleable Non malleable

8. Ductility Ductile Non ductile

9. Brittleness Generally non brittle in nature Brittleness varies material to material

Generally do not possess metallic lustre

10. Lustre Metals possess metallic lustre
(Except graphite & iodine)

Engineering materials can also be classified as below-

 Metals and Alloys

 Ceramic Materials
 Organic Materials