Materials ScienceLecture 1

• What is Materials Science ?

• Why do we study it ?

Example 1:Protective tiles on the space shuttle.

• What conditions / environments might those tiles see?

• What is the major concern in the design of those tiles?

Example 2: A concrete bridge

• What is the role of the bridge?

Fern Bridge, Californiahttp://sunnyfortuna.com/explore/sights.htm

• I-35 bridge failure• Multiple deficiencies

at inspections

www.greentechforum.net

Tacoma Narrows

Materials History: Prehistoric The earliest materials?

Two cave people…

Materials History: Ancient History

• Extraction of Metals

• Processing Natural materials

• What’s next?

Materials Science and Engieering

We study materials to learn why they behave the way they do so that we may use that knowledge to make good engineering decisions in choosing the right materials for the job and so that we may, if necessary, seek out methods of creating materials that will serve our needs best.”

• Transmittance: --Aluminum oxide may be transparent, translucent, or opaque depending on the material structure.

Adapted from Fig. 1.2,Callister 7e.(Specimen preparation,P.A. Lessing; photo by S. Tanner.)

single crystalpolycrystal:low porosity

polycrystal:high porosity

OPTICAL

Example 3: Follow the Bouncing Ball

ex: hardness vs structure of steel • Properties depend on structure

Data obtained from Figs. 10.30(a)and 10.32 with 4 wt% C composition,and from Fig. 11.14 and associateddiscussion, Callister 7e.Micrographs adapted from (a) Fig.10.19; (b) Fig. 9.30;(c) Fig. 10.33;and (d) Fig. 10.21, Callister 7e.

ex: structure vs cooling rate of steel • Processing can change structure

Structure, Processing, & PropertiesH

ardn

ess

(BH

N)

Cooling Rate (ºC/s)

100

200

300

400

500

600

0.01 0.1 1 10 100 1000

(d)

30 m(c)

4 m

(b)

30 m

(a)

30 m

Example 4: Polarized Light

www.exploratorium.edu

Four Components to the Discipline of MSE

Classifactions of Materials o Metals -  

o Ceramics –

o Polymers -   

o Composites -    

o Semiconductors -  

o Biomaterials -   We will be primarily concerned with Metals, Polymers, and

composites

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• Use the right material for the job.

• Understand the relation between properties, structure, and processing.

• Recognize new design opportunities offered by materials selection.

Course Goals:SUMMARY

• Understand that new materials can be tailored to specific design requirements.