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| Materials | substances of which something is composed or made. The term engineering
materials is sometimes used to refer specifically to materials used to produce technical
products. However, there is no clear demarcation line between the two terms, and
they are used interchangeably. (See page(s) 16) |
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| Materials science | a scientific discipline that is primarily concerned with the search for
basic knowledge about the internal structure, properties, and processing of materials. (See page(s) 16) |
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| Materials engineering | an engineering discipline that is primarily concerned with the
use of fundamental and applied knowledge of materials so that they can be converted
into products needed or desired by society. (See page(s) 16) |
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| Metallic materials | (metals and metal alloys): inorganic materials that are characterized
by high thermal and electrical conductivities. Examples are iron, steel, aluminum, and
copper. (See page(s) 16) |
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| Ferrous metals and alloys | metals and alloys that contain a large percentage of iron
such as steels and cast irons. (See page(s) 17) |
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| Nonferrous metals and alloys | metals and alloys that do not contain iron, or if they do
contain iron, it is only in a relatively small percentage. Examples of nonferrous metals
are aluminum, copper, zinc, titanium, and nickel. (See page(s) 17) |
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| Ceramic materials | materials consisting of compounds of metals and nonmetals. Ceramic
materials are usually hard and brittle. Examples are clay products, glass, and
pure aluminum oxide that has been compacted and densified. (See page(s) 17) |
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| Polymeric materials | materials consisting of long molecular chains or networks of lowweight
elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Most polymeric
materials have low electrical conductivities. Examples are polyethylene and polyvinyl
chloride (PVC). (See page(s) 17) |
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| Composite materials | materials that are mixtures of two or more materials. Examples
are fiberglass-reinforcing material in a polyester or epoxy matrix. (See page(s) 17) |
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| Electronic materials | materials used in electronics, especially microelectronics. Examples
are silicon and gallium arsenide. (See page(s) 17) |