LECTURE 2

CLASSIFICATION
OF MATERIALS
 CLASSIFICATION OF
MATERIALS
Classification are mostly based on
chemical make-up and atomic
structure

 METALS
 CERAMICS
 POLYMERS
 CLASSIFICATION OF
MATERIALS
Additional Classification of materials
 Composites

 Advanced Materials (Semi-

conductors, Biomaterials, Nano-
engineered Materials and Smart
Materials)
 METALS
(Usually used as alloys between elements)

Composed of one or more metallic

elements, and often non-metallic elements
in small amounts
Atoms are arranged in more orderly
manner
Posses good stiffness, strength and fracture
resistance
Lustrous appearance
 METALS
Not transparent to visible Light
Lacks corrosion resistance
Higher density compared to polymers
and ceramics
Superior electrical and thermal
conductivity
Higher melting points compared to
polymers
Some metals are magnetic
METALS
METALS
 CERAMICS
Compounds of metallic and non-
metallic elements

Engineering Ceramic: are mostly

oxides, nitrides and carbides e.g.
aluminum oxides, silicon carbide,
silicon dioxide, silicon nitride

Traditional Ceramics: includes clay,

cement and glass
 CERAMICS
Stiffness and strength that are comparable
to metals

Hard & brittle and very susceptible to

fracture

There are ceramics which are transparent,

translucent and opaque

Low electrical conductivities

 CERAMICS
Good resistance to high temperature

Good corrosion resistance

Some are magnetic

Lower density than metals

CERAMICS
CERAMICS
 POLYMERS
Organic compounds that are chemically
based on carbon, hydrogen and other non-
metallic elements

They have larger molecular structures,

often chain like

Common polymers include polyethylene,

nylon, poly vinyl chloride, polycarbonate
and polystyrene
 POLYMERS

Lower density than metals and ceramics

Lack stiffness and strength
Extremely ductile
Good corrosion resistance
Lower melting point (easily softens or
decomposes
Low electrical conductivities
Non-magnetic
Some polymers are transparent
POLYMERS
POLYMERS
 COMPOSITES

Composed of two or more individual

materials (that is metal, ceramic or
polymer)

Designed to achieve a combination of

properties not possessed by a single
material

Some naturally occurring composites

include wood and bone
 COMPOSITES

We will focus on synthetic composites

Common composites include

Glass Fibre Reinforced Polymer (GFRP)
Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP)

 Small glass fibres or carbon fibres

embedded within polymeric materials
 COMPOSITES

The glass or carbon fibres are relatively

strong, stiff and brittle but the polymer is
ductile, weak and flexible

Composite of the two material is now stiff,

strong, flexible and some ductility
exhibited

Composites are expensive materials

COMPOSITES
Materials of Importance, Callister pg 10