EGERTON UNIVERSITY.

FACULTY OF ENGINERING AND

TECHNOLOGY.
GROUP MEMBERS:

1. MWANGI EDWIN MURIMI BP12/00234/22. (CEEN)

2. ELIUD OCHIENG OTIENO B13/09316/22. (MENT)
3. MAXWEL NDUNG’U MWANIKI B13/09312/22.(MENT)

INTRODUCTION TO MATERIAL
SCIENCE

UNIT CODE: MENT 120.

SUBMITTED TO: Mr. CHRISPIN ZAMZU.

 1. Briefly describe the six different property classifications of materials that determine their
applicability. Be sure to identify the specific properties under each property class.

a) Physical properties.
These refer to properties that can be observed or measured without changing the composition of
the material.
The specific properties include: density, melting point, vapor pressure, viscosity, porosity and
dimensional stability.

b) Chemical properties.
These are characteristics of a substance that may be observed when it participates in a chemical
reaction.
The specific properties include: corrosion, oxidation, biological stability, thermal stability and
stress corrosion.

c) Mechanical properties.
These reflect the relationship between its response to deformation from an applied load or force.
The specific properties include: hardness, electric constants, yield strength, ultimate strength,
fatigue, fracture toughness, creep, damping, wear resistance.

d) Electrical properties.
These are properties that are their ability to conduct electric current.
The specific properties include: conductivity, dielectric constant, resistivity, coercive force and
hysteresis.

e) Thermal properties.
These are properties that are exhibited by a material when the heat is passed through it hence
they come under the broader topic of physical properties of materials.
The specific properties include: conductivity, specific heat, expansion and emissivity.

f) Optical properties.
These are properties that are essential for advancement of optical technology and their
applications.
The specific properties include: reflectance, emittance, absorptance, transmittance, index of
refraction.
 2. What are the reasons for the technological and commercial importance of :
a. Metals
 They are strong ductile and have a high resistance to fracture.
 They have high electrical and thermal conductivity.
b. Polymers
 They are thermal and electrical conductors.
 Chemically inert and unreactive.
 Optically transparent or translucent.
 Are sensitive to temperature changes.
c. Composites.
 They have a combination of properties not displayed by any single material.
 They are light, strong ad flexible.
d. Ceramics
 They are brittle and hard.
 Insulative to the passage of heat and electricity.
 Resistant to high temperatures and harsh environments while some also exhibit some
magnetic behaviors e.g. (Fe3O4)

3. Yes, each of the above classes of materials have very attractive properties. Are there any
limitations? Yes and they include:
A. Metals.
 They are susceptible to corrosion.
 Some of them are very expensive.
 They are difficult to shape and machine.
B. Ceramics.
 Brittle in nature.
 Almost zero ductility
 Poor tensile strength.
 Difficult to shape and machine.
C. polymers.
 Cannot withstand very high temperature.
 Less strength to size ratio.
 They are non-biodegrable causing a litter problem.
D. composites
 High costs.
 More brittle than metals hence more easily damaged.
 Technique sensitive.
 4. Briefly describe the concept of “advanced materials” under each of the following types
of materials.
a. Biomaterials.
These are materials that have been engineered to interact with biological systems for a medical
purpose, either a therapeutic (treat, augment, repair) or replace a tissue function of the body.

b. Semi-conductors.
These are materials that have a conductivity between conductors and non-conductors or
insulators.

c. Smart materials.
These are materials that are manipulated to respond in a controllable and reversible way,
modifying some of their properties as a result of external stimuli such as mechanical stress or a
certain temperature among others.

d. Nano materials.
These are materials that have structural features on the order of a nanometer, some of which may
be designed on the atomic/molecular level.