Material Science Fundamentals: Properties and Classifications

Material Science Fundamentals

Metals (M)

Chemical elements with low electronegativity, few valence electrons, and outer layers that are easily shared. They are typically malleable and ductile, and are good conductors of heat and electricity.

Alloys (A)

Mixtures of metals and non-metals (or other metals) designed to improve mechanical properties, although they often result in a lower melting point. They are good drivers of electricity.

• Malleable, ductile, and high resistance.
• MiAF: Iron alloys (e.g., steel) prices. Fe (Iron) is tough, malleable, ferromagnetic, and forms carbon steel.
• MiAnF: Copper alloys, resistant, used in drivers, cobalt alloys.
• Supral: Aluminum alloys, corrosion-resistant and resistant to light (Al-Ti-Be).

Polymers (MP)

Organic materials formed from high molecular weight chains, often derived from petroleum (oil), timber, or cotton production. They consist of monomers joined together.

Polymerization Types

• Homopolymer: Formed from only one type of monomer.
• Copolymer: Formed from two or more different monomers.
• Polycondensation: Chemical reaction joining two functional groups, releasing a small molecule.
• Polyaddition: Continuous addition of molecules of the same type.

Polymer Types

• Thermoplastics: Characterized by long chains of carbon atoms that allow them to be reshaped when heated (rigid structure).
• Thermoset: Fragile and resistant materials with permanently set, cross-linked atomic chains.
• Elastomers: Rubber-like materials with high elasticity.

Ceramics (CSM)

Materials formed by ionic and/or covalent bonds between metallic and non-metallic elements. They are typically hard and brittle, exhibiting low ductility. They are good electrical and thermal insulators and support high melting temperatures ($T_f$).

Ceramic Applications

• Glass: High-temperature vitreous materials.
• Argilamodificar: Modified clays.
• Refractories: Resistant to heat and abrasion.
• Cements: Binding agents.
• CerAva: Alumina ($\text{Al}_2\text{O}_3$), aluminum nitride, boron carbide, silicon carbide.

Composites (MCO)

An assembly of two or more distinct materials mixed together. They are not new at the microscopic level but remain separated, exhibiting unique properties.

Composite Structures

• Matrix: The continuous phase, often the harder material, which improves overall properties.
• Reinforcement (Fiber): Material with lower density but greater resistance.
• Structure: Laminates (sheets and plates) with external protective layers.
• Types: Ceramic-metal (cermet), metal-polymer, polymer-ceramic composites.

Non-Ceramic Materials (NM)

Non-Crystalline Ceramics (n.cera)

Materials like baked clay, characterized by high water absorption and high thermal fusion resistance, leading to high rigidity. They often lack transparency for high-speed photonic signals.

Biomaterials

Materials capable of replacing the function of living organs or tissue, such as heart valves.

Superconductivity

A phenomenon where electrical resistance drops to zero below a critical temperature ($T_c$). This involves the Meissner effect, which is the expulsion and repulsion of magnetic fields, leading to levitation. The main advantage is near-zero energy loss. Disadvantages include the difficulty of maintaining the required low temperatures. Applications are found in military and medical technology.