1. Introduction to Materials Science
Introductory presentation for A Fun Look at Material Science lesson at TeachEngineering.org
Image source: Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA
Image caption: Dr. Sharon Cobb of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center examines a model of a crystal lattice. Processing materials in the microgravity of space reduces defects like the spot, at the center of the model, where an extra row of atoms has wedged into the lattice.

2. Materials Science
An interdisciplinary study that combines sciences such as metallurgy, physics, chemistry and engineering to solve real-world problems with real-world materials in an acceptable societal and economical manner.

3. What is material science?
Definition 1: A branch of science that focuses on materials; interdisciplinary field composed of physics and chemistry. Definition 2: Relationship of material properties to its composition and structure.

4. Image: http://www. is. mpg

5. Example
A main reason why iron has been a significant material for a long time is not that it is ‘strong’, it is because we can change its properties by heating and cooling it.
The ability to change the properties and/or behaviour of a material is what makes most materials useful and this is at the heart of materials science.
Balloon example

6. Materials have ‘driven’ our society
Stone Age – naturally occurring materials – special rocks, skins, wood
Bronze Age – casting and forging
Iron Age – high temperature furnaces
Steel Age – high strength alloys
Non-ferrous and polymer Age – aluminium, titanium and nickel (superalloys) use in aerospace; silicon in information technology; plastics and composites for food preservation, housing, aerospace,…
Exotic Materials Age? Nano-material and bio-materials....

7. Classes of materials Ionic crystals Covalent materials
Metal and alloys
Semiconductors and Superconductors
Polymers
Composite materials
Ceramics
Catalysts
Biomaterials
Exotic and strange materials
...

8. We are going to mainly look at four classes of materials
Metals
- aluminum
- copper
- steel (iron alloy)
- nickel
- titanium
2. Ceramics
- clay
- silica glass
- alumina
- quartz
3. Polymers
- polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Teflon
- various plastics
- glue (adhesives)
- Kevlar
4. Composites
- wood
- carbon fiber resins
- concrete
semiconductors (computer chips, etc.) = ceramics, composites
nanomaterials = ceramics, metals, polymers, composites

9. Types of Materials - Activity
B tile C popsicle stick D plastic bag A paper clip A metal B Ceramic C composite D polymer

10. Plastic/Elastic Deformation
When a sufficient load is applied to a material, it will cause it to change shape = deformation.
Elastic deformation – a temporary shape change that is self-reversing after the force is removed, so that the object returns to its original shape.
Plastic deformation – permanently deformed material, e.g. metals can be bent into a different shape prior to fracture whereas a tile has no plastic behaviour as it doesn’t form a different shape before fracturing.

11. What are the differences between metals and ceramics when subjected to force?
Under extreme force, metals plastically deform, whereas ceramics elastically deform. Metals are, typically, not subject to brittle fracture, while ceramics are very brittle.

12. What similarities do polymers and metals have when subjected to a force?
They both can behave elastically under mild forces, but do predominately plastically deform. Metals and polymers can deform or change shape to extreme dimensions, hence have high ductility.

13. Why would a metal be preferred as a bridge building material as opposed to a ceramic material?
Metals are less susceptible to brittle fracture and can deform (give a warning) prior to failure. Brittle fracture is a catastrophic fracture with no warning signs.