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1.0 TYPES OF ENGINEERING MATERIALS

INTRODUCTION

Engineering materials are conveniently grouped into three main types: metals,

polymers and ceramics.

METALS

Usually opaque and characterised by high thermal conductivity, high electrical

conductivity. Metal surface can be polished to a high luster, they are commonly
deformable and relatively heavy.

These properties of metals result from the metallic bonding in which some of the
electrons can leave their parent atoms. Electrons are not free to move to the same
extent in polymers and ceramics. Metals easily give out their electrons and this
accounts for their properties.

POLYMERS:

They are often called plastics. They have low density and are used as thermal and
electrical insulators. They are poor reflectors of light. They are flexible and subject to
deformation. Polymers result from covalent bonding and build up large molecules
often called macromolecules, which contain many repeating units, or mers from
which the word "polymer" is obtained. These macromolecules are in the form of long
and flexible chains, the backbone of which is a string of carbon atoms of the form

The bonds can be double like ethylene C2 H4

Or triple

- C≡ C

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Polyethylene for example is shown pictorially as

Ceramics:

These compounds fall between metallic and non-metallic elements. Ceramics are
mostly oxides; nitrides and carbides, clay minerals, cement and glass are ceramic
materials. Ceramics materials are electrical and heat insulators. They are more
resistant to high temperatures and harsh environments than metals and polymers.

Ceramics are hard and brittle unlike metals that are ductile.. Cement is profusely
used in the well operations. Diamond and titanium carbide, which are very useful as
drill bits in well operations are ceramics.

1.2 INTERMEDIATE CLASSES OF MATERIALS

Composites:

They consist of more than one type of material. Fibreglass in which glass of fibres is
embedded within a polymeric material is an example of a composite material. A
composite material is designed to display a combination of the chosen material
components. For example fibre glass acquires strength from the glass and flexibility
from the polymer matrix. Many recent materials developed involved composite
materials.

Semi-conductors:

These are materials in which few electrons can jump the narrow energy gap into the
conduction band. The gap is non-existent in metals and too wide in insulators thus
semiconductors have electrical properties that are intermediate between metals and
insulators.

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Electrical characteristics of these materials are extremely sensitive to minute

concentrations of impurities. This group of intermediate materials has made possible
the advent of integrated circuitry that has revolutionised the electronics and
computer industries.

Biomaterials:

They are mixtures of the above named materials and are used in components
implanted into the human body for the replacement of diseased or damaged parts.

These materials are so designed that the substances produced by them are
compatible with the body tissues that is they do not have adverse effects on the
human body.

Advanced materials:

These are materials used in high technology. Such materials are used in producing
devices or products that operate or function using relatively intricate and
sophisticated principles; examples include electronic equipment (VCRs, CD players
etc), computers, fibre optics systems, space craft, air craft and military rocketry.

The advanced materials may be traditional materials whose properties have been
enhanced. Such materials have been applied to lasers, integrated circuits, magnetic
information storage, liquid crystals displays (LCDs), fibre optics and the thermal
protection system for space shuttle orbiter.

1.3 BRIEF PICTORIAL COMPARISON OF METALS, SEMI

CONDUCTORS, AND INSULATORS

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The MATERIALS SYSTEMS are further illustrated as METALS, POLYMERS,

COMPOSITES and CERAMICS hierarchies in which their detailed subdivisions are
shown.

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METALS HIERARCHY, FIG 4:

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POLYMERS HIERARCHY FIG 5:

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COMPOSITES HIERARCHY FIG 6:

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CERAMICS HIERARCHY FIG 7:

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