What is Materials: Definition and 981 Discussions

A material is a substance or mixture of substances that constitutes an object. Materials can be pure or impure, living or non-living matter. Materials can be classified based on their physical and chemical properties, or on their geological origin or biological function. Materials science is the study of materials and their applications.
Raw materials can be processed in different ways to influence their properties, by purification, shaping or the introduction of other materials. New materials can be produced from raw materials by synthesis.
In industry, materials are inputs to manufacturing processes to produce products or more complex materials.

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  1. G

    Helpful Resources for Calc. Analysis

    I have started a class on the analysis of calculus. We are three weeks in and have covered some basic set theory, fields and axioms, and now we are beginning induction. It is a very rigorous course and I hoping someone might know of some helpful resources that could aid me throughout it. Ideally...
  2. F

    Low-cost low threshold optical beam limiter?

    Do you guys know a low-cost low-threshold optical beam limiter, with cost somewhere ~$100. Or if you know certain method to fabricate such. I would be greatful if you could include links and/or references. I am still noob in photonics so I am only familiar with a beam limiter that blocks the...
  3. T

    Mechanics of Materials: Deformation of a Hollow Cylinder

    Homework Statement Hollow Circular tube of Length (L) 600 mm is compressed by forces P (axially). Outside diameter (d2) is 75 mm. Inside diameter (d1) is 63 mm. Modulus of Elasticity (E) is 73 GPa Poisson's ratio (v) is 0.33. axial strain (ε) is 781 x 10-6 Find shortening of tube (δ). (This...
  4. E

    Magnetic hysteresis loop area meaning

    Let's consider the Magnetic hysteresis loop of a certain material: https://www.nde-ed.org/EducationResources/CommunityCollege/MagParticle/Physics/HysteresisLoop.htm is an example. In many sites and books it is written that its area is proportional to the energy wasted as heat, so A = kE_d. In...
  5. I

    Learning materials for relativity

    Hello scientists, I'm interested in relativity, I have read a lot about Einstein's experiments and studies in simple language. But after watching interstellar movie I want to study relativity carefully from A to Z. So I want you to recommend me books to study and understand relativity, and...
  6. ryanuser

    Efficiency of piezoelectric materials

    I was told that "piezoelectric materials can become more efficient if they were made to reduce their elasticity (the ones such as PVDF films that are flexiable).This is because the external energy is used to force the film back to its original shape just like when a spring is squashed; so most...
  7. D

    K-Factor Tables for Sheetmetal: Materials & Angles

    hi everybody, I'm looking for tables of k-factor (sheetmetal) for different materials and different angels.
  8. E

    MPA calculation VS MPA listed on materials

    Hi, I am not a mathematician or scientist or student. In advance I ask that you please excuse my ignorance. I calculated that at tensile strength of .51 equals an MPA of .0035163. Thank god for internet calculators. I do not know what MPA means, but materials are listed this way. So if I...
  9. A

    Mechanics and materials problem....

    The problem is: A copper alloy having gauge length of 2 inches is subjected to strain of 0.4 inch/inch when the stress is 70 ksi. if yield stress is 45 ksi and yield strain is 0.0025 inch/inch, determine the distance between the gauge points when the load is released So I tried to do this...
  10. R

    Materials or informatics (f you only had these two options)?

    Hi everyone, I need advice. I'm in a difficult situation right now. I'm living in a third world country and universities are few and far between. There is one near me that has a handful of careers, including two engineering types: "materials" and informatics. The rest of the options are social...
  11. Benevito

    Dielectric constant in few-layer and in bulk materials

    Why is the dielectric constant smaller in few-layer materials than in bulk materials?
  12. M

    Mechanics of materials torque on solid shaft

    Homework Statement http://prntscr.com/7rtrep http://prntscr.com/7rts95 Homework Equations theta = TL/GJ t(max)= Tc/J The Attempt at a Solution The two questions i have are rather similar so i put them up at the same time, i hope that's okay. For the first one ( the first link) i started by...
  13. EddieP

    Magnetic field around a wire near ferrous materials

    I was wondering if I could ask a question on the magnetic field surrounding a current-carrying wire, and how this field might change with the presence of other, ferrous materials nearby. I have been using this web page http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/magnetic/magcur.html#c3 to...
  14. A

    What are best new materials for making a cell phone case?

    searching for my feasibility study thanks.in advance.
  15. T

    Flexible material that quickly dissolves in rubbing alcohol

    Hello! I'm looking for a substance that can: (1) be turned into a flexible material (e.g., a flexible plastic), (2) is dissolveable in rubbing alcohol but not water (or blood), and (3) safe for a medical procedure ... And, if possible, preferably biodegradable... I know that's kind of a...
  16. ryanuser

    Piezo materials -- piezo cable under saddle pickup for accoustic guitars

    Hey My question relates to piezo cable under saddle pickup for accoustic guitars. They change the guitar's sound into electrical energy. They work almost like a microphone. But these cables are bendable, would that mean bending them can cause an electrical impulse along Becasue they are up of...
  17. R

    Combining p-type and n-type semiconductor materials

    Hi Guys, i want to fabricate semiconductor p-type and n-type material and i want it to combine to make a p-n junction diode, but i don't know how to combine or merge the two, (my materials are thin films) I'm thinking to solder it but I'm afraid that it will break, or distort, or I'm thinking to...
  18. ryanuser

    Where to Purchase PVDF Piezoelectric Sheets?

    Hi Where can I buy Piezoelectric sheets? Similar to the one shown in the picture. Thanks
  19. N

    Exploring the Differences: 3D Nano-materials vs Bulk Materials

    What are the differences between 3d Nano-materials and bulk materials?
  20. R

    What materials can a star produce before dying?

    Is it possible to calculate how much Helium a star can produce when it reaches the end of the main-sequence, right before it starts burning Helium ( given if it has enough mass to do so) ? And if it is possible then is it also possible to calculate how many materials a star can produce given...
  21. Y

    Discover the Fascinating World of Smart Materials Engineering

    Who is intersting here in smart materiales engeneering
  22. S

    Materials that are transparent to alpha particles?

    A mica window is used on Geiger counters. The thin mica is supposedly very transparent to alphas. But are there other materials? Extremely thin metal foils?
  23. T

    How is the UTS different from breaking stress and why?

    By definition the UTS is the maximum stress a material can take. But how exactly can a material not break after reaching the UTS if it is so? Why is there a breaking stress and how come on the graph of stress against strain the stress seems to decreases before the braking stress?
  24. neosoul

    Integrating Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science

    Hi PF Family, I'm a rising junior majoring in physics. I plan to enroll and be accepted into graduate school(s) such as UIUC, Princeton, and MIT. I know that requires much work and hard work. However, my problem is in choosing the right program. I want to be able to integrate CMP and Materials...
  25. C

    Can the Plastic Moment be smaller than Elastic Moment?

    Homework Statement Stress = 320 MPa Max Elastic Moment = Stress*Z Max Plastic Moment = Stress*S Solve the maximum moments and compare the % increase Beam is an I beam with dimensions: (b and d) Top Flange = 25*10 web = 10*180 Bottom Flange = 200*8 Homework Equations see above The Attempt at...
  26. Curieuse

    How Can I Access Walter Lewin's Course Materials from Past Years on MIT OCW?

    Hey guys, following the brouhaha around mr.lewin's inappropriate conduct, mit ocw has removed all of lewin's course materials from its page. But the lectures are still available on YouTube, thankfully :bow: But the pdfs aren't! Please let me know if any of you have them downloaded from back...
  27. S

    Electron-hole gas density in different materials

    If we connect a two metals with different Fermi levels electrons will start to flow from metal with higher Fermi level to a lower one. Untill metal with lower Fermi level will get negatively charged and the process will stop. But what if we connect a two materials with different Fermi levels...
  28. R

    Materials for a small catamaran? (30 cm x 30 cm square max)

    Hey! I'm an EPFL student in 1st year, and we are creating an amphibious vehicle which has to work with the strenght of a spring, so we decided to give him the form of a Catamaran. The thing is that it cannot overpass 1kg, so we prefer not to use aluminium. For the hulls we decided to use High...
  29. B

    Need to Purchase a Universal Testing Machine

    Hey all, I have been put in charge of developing my company's research and development "lab" and I am currently looking for some testing equipment to buy. My background is in civil engineering, however I did do a small amount of material testing in school, and I'm familiar with the concepts...
  30. jmex

    Casting grades for different materials

    Hello, I am confused with casting grades of different steel,for example 316 SS has casting grade CF8M. What does it mean and where can i find grades of other materials as well like 316L, 304L. 304, CS, etc. Any data sheet showing grades for every material will be helpful. Thanks
  31. A

    Design code for structural steel materials

    Bidders propeses ASTM A36 material istead of S275 J2 or S355ML/NL for structural steel (Piperack, Equipment Structure, etc.) on the basis of international standards for most optimal and economical design. Is it really optimal? pls explain why
  32. S

    What are the latest research topics in materials science and nanotechnology?

    Hi, name's Sehaj. I'm in my first year of a Natural Sciences degree studying at the University of Leeds, England. It's a flexible degree with a masters option which I'm looking to take, perhaps gearing towards working in materials science. But I also have an interest in nanotechnology...
  33. P

    Thickness of materials in space?

    How thick would a 4'x8' aluminum plate need to be to hold 1 atmosphere in space? What about a 4'x8' sheet of glass?
  34. M

    I am trying to find materials to make a pulse laser for lab

    Hello everyone, I am working with my modern physics professor Dr. Parshar to make a pulse laser for my modern physics lab. I have to make an itemized expense report for the materials and all that. I need help figuring out what crystal or doped glass would be best to use, not super expensive...
  35. parazit

    Control Rod Materials: List & Compounds Explained

    Hi Masters. I'm searching for control rod materials and so far I got the ones listed below. I know that the material selected for control rods should have a good absorption cross section for neutrons and have a long lifetime as an absorber. I just wonder the materials and compounds used in...
  36. S

    Scientific Laws for Engineering Materials

    I have a conceptual question. There is a law in science for every phenomenon in nature, like gravity or electric field. But also there are laws for springs or capacitors etc... I mean the engineering materials that are produced by engineering processes, not can be found in the nature itself...
  37. Wyn

    Engineering Intro to the Physics and Chemistry of Materials by Naumann

    This is the book that is required for my materials science II class but I can't find this book, I can't even find the contents so I can find a similar book. Do you know any?
  38. Q

    Engineering From which books of Mechanic Materials are these images?

  39. Killjoywannabe

    Egg Drop Project: Creative Designs with Limited Materials

    Okay. I have to do the egg drop project tomorrow and I need help with ideas for designs. Available materials: 2 sheets of printer paper 1 meter of tape I have to build something that can withstand about a 5 meter drop. Additional materials can be 'purchased' with grade points, but only more...
  40. T

    Factor of Safety - Mechanics of Materials

    Homework Statement Rigid beam ABC is supported as shown in the figure. The pin connections at B, C, and D are each double shear connections, and the ultimate shear strength of the pin material is 640 MPa. Tie rod (1) has a yield strength of 350 MPa. A uniformly distributed load of w = 11 kN/m...
  41. xortdsc

    Simulation of internal mechanics of materials of high restitution

    Hello, just for some basic understanding I wrote a (1D) numerical simulation to investigate the internal mechanics of collision impact in different materials. For a start I work with a really simple model which consists of: - basic elements (circles of fixed radius and mass and their current...
  42. A

    High conductivity materials in absolute temperatures

    what happen to the conductor if it reaches the critical temperature where high conductivity and then back to the original case does it preserve by an amount of high conductivity or high conductivity disappear just a question I'm engineering student electrical power department
  43. J

    Oxidization of III-V Materials

    Hello, In the framework of an academic study, I am reviewing the oxidation methods of III-V materials for optronic applications. What are the best techniques to oxidize III-V materials such as InP, AsGa, or InSb in order to have a good quality oxide layer of about thirty nanometers? The oxide...
  44. O

    Algorithms learning materials and exercises

    Hello I'm teaching assistant at one university in Bosnia and Herzegovina (department for computer science) and I have recently been chosen to be an assistant at "Introduction to computer algorithms" subject. First few classes are based on mathematical background (induction, recursion, algorithm...
  45. R

    What materials are best for creating fiber optics from seaweed or jelly?

    I want to make fiber optics from seaweed or jelly.. It will be happen? Please give me the literature or journal.. Thank you very much for helping me.. :)
  46. S

    Engineering MS or PhD in Materials Science and Engineering

    Hello, I am currently a chemistry student and will be graduating this Spring. I have applied to a couple of schools and have been accepted to one school so far for a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering. I am worried that a PhD is overkill. Long term I want to work in industry. I would like...
  47. snatchingthepi

    Non-Ohmic Materials: Learn About Vanishingly Small Terms

    So I learned today about the version of Ohm's law where J = \sigma E and my professor mentioned that some materials (non-Ohmic materials like superconductors) have "vanishingly small" extra terms that are quadratic or cubic. I'm wondering if anyone can direct me to a source (or even just...
  48. G

    Nuclear Materials: Prospects for the Future?

    Hello, Is "Nuclear Materials" an area with good expectations? I know that materials are very important for nuclear civil: reactors lifetime, safety and performance, but I'm not sure to what point this a good prospects subject, when compared with other nuclear related domaines (safety, radiation...
  49. P

    Exploring the Effects of Electromagnetic Materials on Neutron Decay

    hello which is the lightest material that electromagnetism can set it in motion? thanks!
  50. S

    Dissimilar thermoelectric P-N junction materials

    Hi, I had a question about p-n junctions. I've only recently started to learn these concepts so there may be flaws in my thinking (please feel free to correct me). What I'm understanding is that for a p-n junction to function properly and produce a current when connected with a load across the...
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