Types of Engineering Materials

Metals – is a material that when freshly prepared or fractured, has a lustrous appearance,
and which is a relatively good conductor and electricity, usually malleable (it can be
hammered into thin sheets) or ductile (it can be drawn into a wire.) It has two types:
Ferrous Metals – have a high carbon content which generally makes them
vulnerable to rust when exposed to moisture. There are two exceptions to this rule: wrought
iron resist due to to its purity and stainless steel is protected from rust by the presence.
Types of Ferrous Metals
1.) Mild Steel - made by adding iron to carbon which hardens the iron. It is widely used in the
construction and manufacturing industries. USES: Construction, Manufacturing
Industries
2.) Carbon Steel - It has a higher carbon content in comparison to other types of steel making it
exceptionally hard. USES: Machine tools, Drills, Blade, Taps, String
3.) Alloy Steel - It is made up of elements such as chromium, nickel and titanium to impart
greater strength and durability USES: Construction, Machine tools, Electrical component
4.) Cast Iron - is an alloy made from iron, carbon, and silicon. USES: Water Pipes, machine
tools, automotive engines and stove
5.) Wrought Iron - Is an alloy with so little carbon content it is almost pure iron.
It is resistant to corrosion and oxidation, however it is low in hardness and fatigue
strength.USES: Fencing and railing, agricultural implements, nails, barbed wire, chains
and ornaments

Non – Ferrous Metals – include aluminum, copper, lead, zinc and tin, as well as
precious metals like gold and silver. Their main advantage over ferrous materials is
their malleability. It does not have iron content, giving them a higher resistance to rust
and corrosion. They are non-magnetic which is important to many electronic and wiring
application.

1.) Aluminum - It is lightweight, soft and low strength. It is easily casted, forged, machined and
welded. It is not suitable for high temperature environment. USES: Casting , Piston ,
Railways , Cars and kitchen utensils.
2.) Copper - It is red in color, highly ductile, malleable and has high conductivity for electricity
and heat. Principally used in industry in form of wire and other conductor.
3.) Lead - It is soft, heavy , malleable metal with a low melting point and low tensile strength. It
can withstand corrosion from moisture and many acids. USES: Electric power cables,
batteries, building construction and soldering
4.) Zinc - It is medium to low strength metal with a low melting point. It can be machined easily,
but heating may be required to avoid cleavage and crystals.USES:Galvanizing, Applying a
protective zinc coating to iron or steel to prevent rust.
5.) Tin - It is very soft and malleable, ductile with low tensile strength.

Non-metals
Materials are non-crystalline in nature. These are available in both solid and gaseous forms
at normal temperature. Normally all non-metals are bad conductor of heat and electricity.
Ceramic Materials

 These are made of inorganic compounds such as nitrides,oxides,silicates and

carbides. A compound containing metallic and non-metallic elements formed by
the action of heat. Generally can withstand very high temperature such as
temperature that range from 1000 to 1600 degree Celsius. Ceramic is strong and
hard but its best quality is its high melting temperature.
TYPES OF CERAMIC MATERIALS
1. Glass
Is an unlimited and innovative materials that has a plenty of application. Essential
component of numerous products that we use everyday. Examples are packaging,
tableware, housing and buildings, interior design and furniture, appliances and electronics
etc.
2. Cement
Mainly used as a binder in concrete which is basic material for all types of construction,
including housing , roads , schools, hospitals, dams and ports. As well as decorative
application.
3. Concrete
Important construction material used extensively in buildings, bridge, and roads.
Composite materials consisting mainly of Portland cement, water and aggragate.

Organic Materials

 All organic materials are having carbon as a common element. Carbon is

chemically combined with oxygen, hydrogen and other non-metallic bonding.
Examples are plastics, polymers, pvc and rubbers. Etc.

TYPES OF ORGANIC MATERIALS

1. Plastics
It is the perfect material used in packaging goods. It accounts for largest usage of
material worldwide. Plastics are lightweight, corrosion resistance, electric resistance,
low thermal conductivity, low cost and low energy content.
2. PVC
Polyvinyl chloride or simply Vinyl was discovered during experiments to bind rubber to
metal. Thermoplastic made of 57% of chlorine and 43% of carbon. Versatile PVC is used
 in a variety of applications in the building and construction , health care , electronics and
automobiles.
3. Synthetic Rubber
These are mainly polymers synthesized from petroleum by products. Used as car tires
flexible rubber toys, shoe soles , rubber gloves , tubes and hoses. One of the most versatile
materials.

Other metals:

Composites

 Laminar Composites- are panel of material that are combined to make a stronger material.
- panels are arranged in different orientations to minimize strength overall
 Fiber-reinforced Composites- are made of metals, ceramic, glasses, or polymers that have been
turned into graphite and known as carbon fibers. Fibers increase the modulus of matrix materials.
 Particulate Composites- there are many different forms of particulate composites. It can be very
small particles, chopped fibers (such as glass). One form of composites is particulate reinforced
composites with concrete being a good example

Alloy

 Solder- Originally made from lead and tin. Lead free versions contain over 90% tin with various
other metals such as copper, silver and antimony. These low melting point alloys are used for
electronic and jewelry respectively.
 Brass- an alloy of copper and zinc. Yellow or gold colour. Use for decorative effect.
 Bronze- an alloy made of copper and another metal usually tin. Bronze usually is a golden hard,
brittle metal.