Materials Science Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts in materials science, focusing on types of materials, their properties, and associated terminology.

Six Families of Materials

Groups of materials that share common features, including similar properties, processing routes, and applications.

Stiffness

Resistance to elastic deformation, commonly represented by the modulus of elasticity (E).

Strength

Resistance to plastic deformation, often characterized by yield strength (σy).

Fracture toughness

Resistance to fracture in the presence of a crack, indicated by Kic.

Ductility

The amount of stretch a material can undergo before breaking.

Hardness

The resistance of a material to localized plastic deformation induced by mechanical indentation or abrasion.

Metals

Materials characterized by high stiffness, good electrical and thermal conductivity, and ductility.

Ceramics

Materials that are stiff, hard, and possess high temperature strength, often used in tiles and insulators.

Polymers

Organic solids made of long chain molecules, with low density, easy to shape, and versatile properties.

Elastomers

A type of polymer with extremely low stiffness that can return to its original shape after being stretched.

Hybrids (composites)

Materials that combine two or more components to enhance properties.

Material property profile

A summary of a material's properties, processing characteristics, environmental impact, and typical applications.

CES EduPack

A software tool used for browsing materials and creating property charts.