[CHE217] LECT 1-1

Fundamental Definitions & Materials Through the Ages

MATERIALS

Substances out of which a thing is made or can be made

MATERIALS SCIENCE

An interdisciplinary field (physics and chemistry) focusing on the relationship between a material’s composition/structure and its properties

MATERIALS ENGINEERING

The application of material knowledge to develop, modify, or prepare materials for specific needs

PROCESSING

The method used to prepare the material

PROPERTIES

Material characteristics or its response to external stimuli (e.g., mechanical, thermal, electrical).

STRUCTURE

The arrangement of internal components (subatomic, atomic, microscopic, macroscopic/bulk).

PERFORMANCE

The behavior of the material in its specific final application

STONE AGE (3000 BC)

Use of naturally occurring materials with changes only in shape

BRONZE AGE (3000 - 12000 BC)

Introduction of copper and tin alloys; ability to modify materials via heat (refining), chemical modifications (alloying), and mechanical deformation (cold working)

HEAT

Refining

CHEMICAL MODIFICATIONS

Alloying

MECHANICAL DEFORMATION

Cold working

IRON AGE (12000 BC - PRESENT)

Mastery of steel technology enabled the Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries

PLASTIC AGE (1940 - PRESENT)

Discovery of polymers and the ability to synthesize and process them

Timeline of Plastic Innovation: 1900s

Cellophane invented

Timeline of Plastic Innovation: 1940s

Tupperware developed

Timeline of Plastic Innovation: 1950s

Garbage bags and Ziplock patented

Timeline of Plastic Innovation: 1960s

Bubblewrap engineered

Timeline of Plastic Innovation: 1990s

Salad-in-a-bag made to reduce waste

Timeline of Plastic Innovation: 2000s

Plastic recycling established

SILICON AGE (1940 - PRESENT)

Commercialization of silicon technology leading to the information age

BOEING 787 vs 777

he 787 uses 50% composites and 20% aluminum, whereas the older 777 used only 12% composites and 20% aluminum.

METALS

Good conductors of heat/electricity, lustrous, strong but deformable, susceptible to corrosion

CERAMICS

Thermal/electrical insulators, resistant to high temperatures/harsh environments, hard but brittle

POLYMERS

Composed of very large molecules, low density/weight, can be extremely flexible

COMPOSITES

Consists of more than one material type. Designed to combine the best properties of each component