Introduction to Materials Science: Nanomaterials in Automotive Industry

Introduction to Materials Science

Materials science is a multidisciplinary field that explores the properties and applications of various substances. It covers aspects of physics, chemistry, and engineering to understand the behavior of materials and their interactions with different environments. From the development of innovative materials to their implementation in cutting-edge technologies, materials science plays an essential role in shaping the world we live in today.

Pascale Marthine Tayou | Plastic BagsImportance of Understanding Properties of Materials

1. Diverse Properties Understanding the unique properties of materials is essential for making smart choices about how to use them. It involves analyzing factors such as strength, durability, conductivity, and flexibility.
2. Material Failure Analysis Understanding the properties of materials allows us to foresee how they might fail and take steps to prevent problems with their structure or function.
3. Innovative Applications Knowledge of material properties serves as the foundation for developing new materials and using their unique characteristics for different industrial and technological applications.

Classification of Materials

Materials Science is one of the fundamental fields of engineering because each material has to be specifically processed and manufactured according to the end product or purpose that it has been selected for.

Materials can be classified into five broad categories: metals®, polymers, ceramics, composites and smart materials. The properties of a material determines its suitablity for certain applications so these properties have to be analysed during the design process.

Physical and Chemical Properties

Physical and chemical properties determine how materials react to external factors such as electricity or heat. The main properties are:

• thermal conductivity: the ability to conduct heat;
• melting point: the temperature at which a material melts .. that is when it changes its state from a solid to a liquid;
• electrical conductivity: the ability to conduct electricity;
• corrosion resistance: the ability to resist oxidation.

Materials, classification and properties broad: ampio load: carico loss: perdita to melt: fondere moulded: modellato to regain: riacquistare to remove: rimuovere scratch: graffio strength-to-weight ratio: rapporto forza-peso stretched: allungato, teso suitability: idoneità to withstand: resistere

Examples of Materials and Applications

Examples of materials Examples of applications Properties Metals Copper Electrical conductor wires High electrical conductivity Ceramics Silica Optical fibres High refractive index, low optical loss Polymers Polyethylene Food packaging Easily formed into flexible films Composites Graphite epoxy Aircraft components High strength-to-weight ratio Smart materials Dielectric elastomers Robotics Used for high stress operations

Mechanical Properties

Mechanical properties define the ability of a material to resist an external force (for example a load) or a stress.

• Strength is the ability to withstand or resist forces without breaking.
• Hardness is the ability to resist abrasion and scratches.
• Stiffness is the ability to resist deformation.
• Elasticity is the ability to regain the original shape when the force is removed.
• Ductility is the ability to deform when stretched.
• Malleability is the ability to deform under compression and take on a new shape.
• Brittleness is the tendency to break ··· when subjected to stress.

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Overview of Different Types of Materials

Metals

Metals are good at conducting heat and electricity, so they're useful for many different jobs, like building things and making stuff work.

Polymers

Polymers are characterized by their lightweight and flexible nature, finding extensive used a lot in things like everyday items, packaging, and medical tools.

Ceramics

Ceramics possess exceptional heat resistance and stiffness, making them valuable for applications in electronics, automotive, and aerospace industries.

Composites

Composites are engineered materials that combine the properties of multiple elements, offering a balance of strength, durability, and corrosion resistance.

Metals Characteristics and Types

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METALS Characteristics and types

Metals account for about two thirds of all the elements . and about 24% of the mass of the planet. They are normally malleable and ductile so their application in industry is particularly fitting in the metal working and automotive sectors. Metals are divided into ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

Ferrous metals

Ferrous metals and alloys are iron-based materials.

• Iron is the most common metal, it has limited applications as an ore . but it is widely used in alloys. It is malleable, ductile, magnetic and a good conductor of heat.
• Steel is an alloy containing iron and other elements (up to 3%), including carbon. Its characteristics change according to the percentage of carbon: mild steel (which has a very high tensile strength), medium-carbon steel and high-carbon steel (very hard). Metals such as chromium and tungsten can be added to create other steels, for example stainless steel ·· , which is extremely resistant to corrosion.
• Cast iron is an alloy of iron (up to 98%) and carbon (2% to 6%). It is hard and brittle and is specifically used for low-stress components (for example in engine blocks).

Iron

Non-ferrous metals

Non-ferrous metals and alloys do not contain iron and are required for components that need to be lightweight, non-magnetic and heat resistant.

• Aluminium is an element extracted from bauxite **. It is very lightweight, rust resistant, non-magnetic and a very good thermal and electrical conductor. It is widely used in the automotive and aviation industries. Copper is an element with excellent electrical conductivity and is therefore especially used in telecommunications and electrical applications. However, it is weak so it is not suitable for structural elements.
• Brass is a very malleable alloy of copper and zinc, it is used where low friction is required, such as for gears and valves.

Other common non-ferrous metals are zinc, silver and lead.

NON-METALS: PLASTICS, POLYMERS, CERAMICS AND COMPOSITES

Plastics

Plastic consists of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic compounds that are malleable and can be easily moulded into solid objects. Plastic materials have a high molecular mass with long molecular chains that are commonly derived from petrochemicals.

Polymers

Polymers are plastic materials produced by a process called polymerisation, a chemical reaction in which small molecules combine together to form long molecular chains°. They have a good resistance to corrosion and are usually used as thermal and electrical insulators. They have many applications including adhesives, electronic devices and elastomers (rubber). Polymers are divided into two categories:

• thermoplastic polymers, which are very ductile because their molecular chains are not rigidly connected;
• thermosetting polymers, which are strong but brittle because their molecular chains are rigidly linked.

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Ceramics

Ceramics are inorganic, non-metallic substances produced using clay and other minerals from soil or chemically processed powders. Naturally occurring ceramics are commonly used for pottery, bricks, tableware, amongst others; whereas chemically prepared ceramics, or advanced ceramics, find applications in engineering and electronics as they have excellent mechanical and physical properties such as strength ** , hardness and a very high melting point. Ceramics are also commonly used as electrical insulators because their electrical conductivity is extremely low.

Composites

Composite materials are the combination of two or more materials that have significantly different properties which, once combined together produce a composite with unique characteristics. The advantage is that the resulting material can be very strong but lightweight or a good thermal insulator and corrosion-resistant at the same time. Composites are usually made up of two parts:

• the matrix, which is the external covering usually made of metal, polymers or ceramics;
• the reinforcement, which is a cluster of fibres usually made of a stronger material such as carbon.

The most common composites are fibreglass, Kevlar *** and carbon fibre.

Non-metals Thermoplastic Thermosetting Black dots and thick black lines show the rigid bonds between molecules. armour: armatura bulletproof vest: giubbotto antiproiettile chain: catena clay: argilla cluster: ammasso compound: composto to flatten: appiattire pottery: terracotta powder: polvere reinforcement: rinforzo to twist: contorcere to wound: ferire

Biomaterials

Named after Tantalus, a mythological Greek figure who was punished for revealing the gods' secrets, he was condemned to stand eternally thirsty in a fountain full of water that he could not drink. The element was named tantalum because the chemist who discovered it was "tantalised" by the mineral which enclosed it, just like Tantalus was tantalised by the water he could not drink.

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BIOMATERIALS Definition and applications

Biomaterials are natural or synthetic substances that are suitable for interaction with biological systems, for this reason they are defined as "biocompatible".

Their major applications are in medicine, both as treatments (for example as replacement for damaged tissue) and for diagnostic purposes (for example for the creation of tools for the detection of chronic diseases).

Biomaterials engineering (which involves elements and principles of medicine, chemistry, biology and mechanics) has experienced a constant growth during its history, with many companies investing large sums of money into the development of new products.

Classification of Biomaterials

Biomaterials can be metal, ceramic, polymers, glass, carbon or composites". Such materials are used for moulded or machined parts, coatings, fibres and foams.

Biomaterials can be divided into three main categories:

• metallic biomaterials are generally used for load bearing applications such as bone implants and must guarantee an excellent resistance to long lasting activities such as walking and using arms;

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• ceramic biomaterials, are extremely hard and wear resistant and are generally used in joint replacements, dental implants and cartilage regeneration in orthopaedics;
• polymeric biomaterials are flexible, elastic and deformation resistant. Due to their properties they are commonly used in implants, tissue repairs and for surgical sutures.

Metal smart materials

Some metals are called "smart" because they have a memory shape which allows them to undergo deformation at a certain temperature. Titanium-based alloys, stainless steel and cobalt-chromium alloys belong to this category and are super elastic metals. Other metals and alloys considered smart are: titanium, nitinol (an alloy made up of nickel and titanium) and tantalum*, which is a rare metal element with an extremely high corrosion resistance.