The Properties of Materials

ENGINEERING MATERIALS
Objectives (Tujuan Instruksional Khusus):
After studying this lesson, the student should be able to:
 Explain the table of engineering materials.

 Define the engineering materials classified to its properties and uses.
In engineering it is important to practice reading tables, charts, diagrams, and graphs

because so much information is presented in these ways. We will start in this unit with a table.
Materials Properties Usages
Metals
Aluminium Light, soft, ductile, highly conductive, Aircraft, engine components,

corrosion-resistant. foil, cooking utensils.
Copper Very malleable, tough and ductile, Electrical wiring, PCBs,

highly conductive, corrosion-resistant. tubing.
Brass (65% Very corrosion-resistant. Casts well, Valves, taps, castings, ship
copper, 35% easily machined. Can be work fittings, electrical contacts.
zinc) hardened. Good conductor.
Mild steel (iron High strength, ductile, tough, fairy General purposes.
with 0,15% to malleable. Cannot be hardened and
0,3% carbon) tempered. Low cost. Poor corrosion
resistance.
High carbon Hardest of the carbon steels but less Cutting tools such as drills,
steel (iron with ductile and malleable. Can be files, saws.
0,7% to 1,4% hardened and tempered.
carbon)
Thermoplastics
ABS High impact strength and toughness, Safety helmet, car

scratch-resistant, light and durable. components, telephones,
kitchenware.
Acrylic Stiff, hard, very durable, clear, can be Aircraft canopies, baths,
polished easily. Can be formed easily. double glazing.
Nylon Hard, tough, wear-resistant, self- Bearings, gears, casings for

lubricating. power tools.
Thermosetting
plastics
Epoxy resin High strength when reinforced, good Adhesives, encapsulation of

chemical and wear resistance. electronic components.
Polyester resin Stiff, hard, brittle. Good chemical and Moulding, boat and car
heat resistance. bodies.
Urea Stiff, hard, strong, brittle, heat- Electrical fittings, adhesives.

formaldehyde resistant, and a good electrical
insulator.
VOCABULARY LISTS
Ductile (adj) - (of metal) that can be pressed, beaten or drawn into shape
while cold, e.g. copper.
Conductive - able to heat, electric current.
Malleable (adj) - a material that can be hammered or pressed into new shape,
e.g. copper.
Hardened (adj) - firm and solid.
Alloy (n) - a metal formed by mixing together other metals and elements.
Durable (adj) - likely to last for a long time.
Self-lubricating (adj) - put oil, etc. on something such as the parts of a machine, to
help them move smoothly.
Brittle - hard but easily broken (e.g. glass, ice)

Insulator - cover something to prevent heat, electricity, etc from
escaping.
Adhesives (n) - substance, e.g. glue that makes things stick together.
Encapsulation (n) - the process of completely embedding a component in a resin

as protection from the environment.
Bearings (n) - a device to reduce friction and wear between a rotating shaft
and a stationary part: may contain balls or rollers.
EXERCISES
Exercise 1
Scan the table in chapter five to find the name of engineering materials below.
1. A metal used to make aircraft.

2. Plastics used for adhesives.
3. Steel which can be hardened.
4. An alloy suitable for castings.
5. A plastic with very low friction.
6. A material suitable for safety helmets.
7. A metal suitable for a salt-water environment.
8. A metal for general construction use but which should be protected from corrosion.
9. A plastic for car bodies.
10. The metal used for the conductors in printed circuit boards.
Exercise 2
Making definitions.
Use the table on the previous page to make definitions of each of the material in column A.
Choose the correct information in column B and C to describe the materials in column A.
For example : Aluminium is a light metal which is used to make aircraft.
A B C
1. Aluminium Allows heat or current to flow easily
2. An alloy Remains rigid at high temperatures
3. Mild steel Does not allow heat or current to flow easily
4. A conductor A metal Contains iron and 0,7% to 1,4% carbon
5. An insulator A material Becomes plastic when heated
6. High carbon steel An alloy Contains iron and 0,15% to 0,3% carbon
7. Brass Formed by mixing other metals or element
8. A thermoplastic Consists of copper and zinc
9. A thermosetting Used to make aircraft

plastic
PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS
WORKSHEETS
Materials Properties Usages and Functions Advantages
Metals
Aluminium Light, soft, ductile, highly Aircraft, engine

conductive, corrosion- components, foil,
resistant. cooking utensils.
Copper Very malleable, tough and Electrical wiring, PCBs,

ductile, highly conductive, tubing.
corrosion-resistant.
Brass (65% Very corrosion-resistant. Valves, taps, castings,

copper, Casts well, easily machined. ship fittings, electrical
35% zinc) Can be work hardened. Good contacts.
conductor.
Mild steel High strength, ductile, tough, General purposes.

(iron with fairy malleable. Cannot be
0,15% to hardened and tempered.
0,3% Low cost. Poor corrosion
carbon) resistance.

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ENGINEERING MATERIALS

Objectives (Tujuan Instruksional Khusus):

After studying this lesson, the student should be able to:

 Explain the table of engineering materials.

In engineering it is important to practice reading tables, charts, diagrams, and graphs

Materials Properties Usages

Aluminium Light, soft, ductile, highly conductive, Aircraft, engine components,

Copper Very malleable, tough and ductile, Electrical wiring, PCBs,

ABS High impact strength and toughness, Safety helmet, car

Nylon Hard, tough, wear-resistant, self- Bearings, gears, casings for

Epoxy resin High strength when reinforced, good Adhesives, encapsulation of

Urea Stiff, hard, strong, brittle, heat- Electrical fittings, adhesives.

Conductive - able to heat, electric current.

Hardened (adj) - firm and solid.

Durable (adj) - likely to last for a long time.

Brittle - hard but easily broken (e.g. glass, ice)

Encapsulation (n) - the process of completely embedding a component in a resin

1. A metal used to make aircraft.

1. Aluminium Allows heat or current to flow easily

2. An alloy Remains rigid at high temperatures

3. Mild steel Does not allow heat or current to flow easily

4. A conductor A metal Contains iron and 0,7% to 1,4% carbon

5. An insulator A material Becomes plastic when heated

8. A thermoplastic Consists of copper and zinc

9. A thermosetting Used to make aircraft

Materials Properties Usages and Functions Advantages

Aluminium Light, soft, ductile, highly Aircraft, engine

Copper Very malleable, tough and Electrical wiring, PCBs,

Brass (65% Very corrosion-resistant. Valves, taps, castings,

Mild steel High strength, ductile, tough, General purposes.

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