Structural Materials: Selection and Economics

submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of the Degree of

Bachelor of Engineering
in
Mechanical Engineering

By
ADITYA SURESH 1BM19ME006

Under the guidance

Internal guide: Dr S M Suresh
Professor Dept. of
Mechanical Engineering

Department of Mechanical Engineering Accredited by NBA for six years (2023-2028, Tier1)
B.M.S College of Engineering Autonomous College under VTU, Bengaluru- 560019
1
 CONTENT
Sl No Slide No

1 INTRODUCTION 3
2 FACTORS 4
3 EXTERNALITIES 5
4 COST AND AVALABILITY AND ENERGY DENSITY 6
5 ASHBY PLOT 7
6 GRAPHENE- REVOLUTIONARY MATERIAL 9
7 ROLE OF EXTERNALITIES 10
8 CURRENT AND POTENTIAL APPLICATION 15
9 CONCLUSION 17
10 COURSE CERTIFICATE 18
11 REFERENCES 19

Department of Mechanical Engineering ,

BMSCE, Bengaluru 2
 INTRODUCTION

• From skyscrapers to transportation infrastructure, structural

materials dominate the human landscape. Learning the principles
that govern their selection is essential for any aspiring or practicing
engineer.
• Structural materials are substances used to construct load-bearing
components and systems in various fields, including engineering,
construction, and manufacturing. These materials possess properties
that allow them to withstand external forces and maintain their
integrity under different conditions.

Department of Mechanical Engineering ,

BMSCE, Bengaluru 3
 FACTORS

• EXTERNALITIES – An externality is an unintended impact of

economic activities on individuals or entities not directly involved in
a transaction.
• COST AND AVAILABILITY - The cost of a product or service
increases when it becomes more difficult to find or acquire due to
limited availability
• ENERGY DENSITY
• COST AND PERFORMANCE
• MATERIAL PROPERTY LIMITS
• SAFETY FACTORS

Department of Mechanical Engineering ,

BMSCE, Bengaluru 4
 EXTERNALITIES

• Economic - The cost or benefit that affects a party who did not
choose to incur that cost or benefit
• Political
• Social
• Environmental
• Military
• Cultural
• Regulatory
• Intellectual Property
• Transportation

Department of Mechanical Engineering ,

BMSCE, Bengaluru 5
 COST AND AVAILABILITY AND ENERGY DENSITY

• Refers to the price or resources required to obtain a good or service

considering its scarcity or limited supply.
• When availability is low, the cost tends to be higher as the demand
for the item exceeds its supply.
• This relationship between availability and cost is often influenced
by factors such as production capacity, market dynamics, and
external forces like natural disasters or geopolitical events.
• Energy density refers to the amount of energy stored within a given
volume or mass of a substance or system. It is a measure of how
much energy can be obtained or released per unit of space or weight.

Department of Mechanical Engineering ,

BMSCE, Bengaluru 6
 ASHBY PLOT

• An Ashby plot, also known as a materials selection chart or

materials property chart, is a graphical representation used in
materials science and engineering to analyze and compare different
materials based on their specific properties.

Department of Mechanical Engineering ,

BMSCE, Bengaluru 7
Fig 5.1- Strength vs Energy Content
Department of Mechanical Engineering ,
BMSCE, Bengaluru 8
 Graphene: A Revolutionary Material Shaping the Future

• Graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal

lattice, is an extraordinary material with remarkable properties. This
report evaluates graphene within the context of materials selection
considerations, exploring its accessibility, cost, and applications. By
understanding these factors, we can assess the suitability of
graphene and compare it to other materials using Ashby charts.

Department of Mechanical Engineering ,

BMSCE, Bengaluru 9
 Role of Externalities

• Accessibility: Graphene's accessibility is influenced by externalities

such as production methods, availability of raw materials, and
research efforts. Initially, large-scale production of high-quality
graphene was challenging and limited due to cost-intensive and
time-consuming processes. However, advancements in
manufacturing techniques, such as chemical vapor deposition and
epitaxial growth, have improved accessibility. Ongoing research is
focused on finding scalable and cost-effective methods to produce
graphene, expanding its availability.

Department of Mechanical Engineering ,

BMSCE, Bengaluru 10
• Cost: Externalities significantly impact the cost of graphene
production. The high cost is mainly due to factors such as the
complexity of manufacturing processes, energy consumption, and
the scarcity of high-quality graphene. Additionally, the availability
and cost of precursor materials, such as graphite, can affect the
overall cost. As technology evolves and economies of scale are
achieved, the cost of graphene is expected to decrease, enabling
wider adoption in various applications.

Department of Mechanical Engineering ,

BMSCE, Bengaluru 11
• Applications: Externalities play a crucial role in defining the
applications of graphene. Graphene's exceptional properties have led
to a broad range of current and potential applications. In the
electronics industry, graphene's high electrical conductivity makes it
suitable for applications such as transparent conductive films,
flexible displays, and high-speed transistors. It also holds promise in
energy storage devices, such as batteries and supercapacitors, due to
its large surface area and high electrical conductivity. Graphene's
strength and flexibility make it a potential candidate for composite
materials, sensors, and biomedical applications.

Department of Mechanical Engineering ,

BMSCE, Bengaluru 12
Fig- 7.1, Ashby chart (electrical conductivity vs youngs modulus)
13
Fig -7.2, Ashby chart ( Young’s Modulus vs Tensile Strength)

14
 Current and Potential Applications

• One significant application of graphene is in the field of flexible

electronics. Graphene's exceptional electrical conductivity,
combined with its mechanical flexibility, makes it an ideal material
for flexible displays, wearable devices, and electronic textiles.
Compared to traditional materials like metals or polymers, graphene
exhibits superior electrical conductivity and transparency. This
advantage allows for the creation of thin, flexible, and transparent
electronic components.

Department of Mechanical Engineering ,

BMSCE, Bengaluru 15
• When evaluating graphene's suitability for specific applications using
Ashby charts, it outperforms many materials in terms of electrical
conductivity, strength, and thermal properties. Its exceptional properties
make it highly desirable for applications where these characteristics are
critical. However, graphene's cost and scalability may currently limit its
use in mass-market applications. Established materials with lower cost
and established manufacturing processes might be preferable for cost-
sensitive applications. Nonetheless, in specialized applications where
the unique properties of graphene are essential, such as high-
performance electronics or advanced composites, graphene remains an
excellent choice.

Department of Mechanical Engineering ,

BMSCE, Bengaluru 16
 Learning Outcomes
As I progressed through the course on Structural Materials - Selection and Economics, I
acquired valuable knowledge and skills that enabled me to achieve the following learning
outcomes:
• I learned how to evaluate and prioritize the key factors and criteria involved in
selecting appropriate materials for specific structural applications. By considering
factors such as strength, durability, cost, weight, environmental impact, and
manufacturing processes, I was able to make informed decisions when choosing
materials for different structural designs.

• I developed the ability to analyze and assess the performance of structural materials
under different loading conditions, environmental factors, and service life
requirements. This skill enabled me to predict and evaluate material behavior,
including strength, stiffness, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, and other relevant
properties.

• I gained an understanding of the economic aspects associated with material selection in

structural engineering. I learned about concepts such as cost analysis and life-cycle
costing, which allowed me to assess the economic feasibility of material choices,
considering factors such as initial costs, maintenance, repair, and replacement
expenses.
17
• I acquired knowledge about various testing and characterization techniques
used to evaluate the mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of
structural materials. I learned how to conduct material testing experiments,
interpret test results, and make informed decisions based on the obtained
data.

• I learned how to optimize material selection to achieve desired structural

performance while considering constraints such as cost, weight, and
sustainability. This skill allowed me to make informed decisions that led to
optimal structural designs by selecting the most suitable materials.

• I developed effective communication and collaboration skills through

engaging in group projects, case studies, and presentations related to
material selection and its economic implications. These experiences helped
me articulate my ideas, analyze and evaluate different perspectives, and
effectively present my findings to diverse audiences.

18
 Conclusion

• Graphene is a material with immense potential that continues to shape

various industries. Externalities such as accessibility, cost, and
applications influence its development and adoption. Its exceptional
properties, including electrical and thermal conductivity, make it highly
desirable for specific applications, particularly in flexible electronics.
While its cost and scalability currently pose challenges for mass-market
applications, graphene's unique attributes position it as a material of
choice in specialized fields. As technology evolves and further research
progresses, graphene is expected to become more accessible and cost-
competitive, paving the way for widespread adoption and
transformative applications in the near future.

Department of Mechanical Engineering ,

BMSCE, Bengaluru 19
Department of Mechanical Engineering ,
BMSCE, Bengaluru 20
 REFERENCES

• MITx 3.MatSelx Structural Materials: Selection and Economics -

EdX
• Course Notes
• Wikipedia- Graphene
• Ashby plot of the electrical conductivity versus Young's modulus of
carbon based fibers. https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Top-Ashby-plot-of-the-electrical-
conductivity-versus-Youngs-modulus-of-carbon-based_fig5_331227502

Department of Mechanical Engineering ,

BMSCE, Bengaluru 21