TECHNICAL

ENGLISH
COURSE 3

LECTURE 1

The Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture,

University of Zagreb
ENGINEERING MATERIALS

 CLASSIFICATION
 PROPERTIES
alloys advanced materials copper steel

mild steel composites nano-materials rubber

ferrous metals iron ceramics thermoplastics

plastics fibre glass low carbon steel

aluminium non-ferrous metals high carbon steel

polyester resin brass smart materials polymers

WHY DO WE CLASSIFY THINGS?

 CLASSIFICATION TREE
Radni materijali, p.47
ENGINEERING MATERIALS

METALS COMPOSITES NON-METALS

ferrous non-.ferrous polymers composites ceramics

plastics rubber (elastomers)

thermoplastics thermosets
(thermosetting plastics)
 The language used to describe the classification.
Refer to the Classification tree to check how engineering materials are
classified.

• to divide / to be divided into (groups)

Engineering materials are divided into metals, non-metals and composites.

• to classify / to be classified into/as

Metals are classifed as ferrous metals and non-ferrous metals.

• to categorize / to be categorized into/as

Non-metals are categorized into polymers, composites and ceramics.
When a criterion for the classification is introduced:
• to classify / to be classified by/according to
Composites can be classified according to their matrix material as MMCs,
CMCs, PMCs.

MMC = metal matrix composite

CMC = ceramic matrix composite
PMC = polymer matrix composite
 SUBDIVISION
• to be subdivided into
• to be further divided into

Non-metals are divided into ceramics, composites and polymers, which are
subdivided into plastics and rubber. Plastics are further divided into
thermoplastics and thermosets (or thermosetting plastics).
 PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS
Think about...

• What are properties of materials? (definition)

• How many properties can a material have?

• Why are engineers interested in the properties of materials?

Let’s check the answers

• What are properties of materials? (definition)
Properties are the observed characteristics of a sample of a material.

• How many properties can a material have?

Materials exhibit many properties.

• Why are engineers interested in the properties of materials?

The properties of a material determine its usability and hence its engineering
application.
 CLASSIFICATION OF PROPERTIES

How would you define: physical,

chemical and
mechanical properties?

Let’s check the answers

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES include chemical reactions which involve the
formation or destruction of chemical bonds.

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES can be observed or measured without changing the

composition of matter.

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES are properties that involve a relationship between

stress and strain or a reaction to an applied force.
OR
…. characteristics that indicate the elastic or inelastic behaviour of a material under
pressure (force).

Mechanical properties are critical in a wide variety of structures and objects.

Let’s practice!
 Do the handout

Task 1 (classification of properties)

Task 2 (complete the table)
Task 3 (toughness or strength?)
Task 4 (defining)

Once you have completed the tasks, check the key.

Handout, task 1
Sort the material properties into a group of CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL or MECHANICAL properties.

hardness solubility elasticity tensile strength toxicity colour

boiling point stiffness rigidity combustibility toughness

compressive strength smell melting point permeability

weldability conductivity corrosion density

fatigue strength malleability flammability creep strength

flexibility brittleness
 Handout, task 2
Complete the table.
English Croatian
solubility
combustibility
(in)flammability
boiling point
melting point
permeability
weldability
creep
toxicity
 Handout, task 3

Difference between TOUGHNESS and STRENGTH

______________ refers to resistance to deformation, and also to a large elastic

range. _______________ is the resistance to failure or crack propagation. It is
somewhat related to strength. Very strong materials will have low toughness, i.e. low
_______________ to flaws and defects. Toughness relates to the amount of
_________________ absorbed in order to propagate a crack. Materials with high
toughness require _____________ energy (by virtue of __________ or stress) to
maintain crack _______________ .
Let’s highlight.

inflammability = flammability = zapaljivost

nezapaljivost?

non-flammability = nezapaljivost
 Handout, task 4

Let’s define!

1 _________ is the quality of being easily ignited and burning rapidly.

2 _________ is the capability of being flattened out under the hammer.
3 _________ is the ability of a material to be welded, also called joinability.
4 ______ is the tendency of a solid material to move slowly and deform permanently
under the influence of mechanical stresses.
5 _________ is the temperature at which a given material changes form a solid to a
liquid.