Materials Definition and 988 Threads

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. B

    Analytic calculations for piezoelectric materials

    Lets assume that all properties of a piece of piezoelectrical material are known, how should the analytical calculations be performed if the goal is to convert a vibration into electrical energy? What I'm looking for is the theoretical output voltage one can achieve for a known vibration. To...
  2. L

    Materials Selection problem for a torsion shaft

    Homework Statement A drive shaft tube for a rear wheel drive high-performance sedan requires a lighter weight unit than one made from conventional steel. The requirements are that the applied torque be 814 N-m (600 ft-lbs) the factor of safety be 2 or more and the maximum angular displacement...
  3. W

    Engineering Is materials engineering too narrow?

    I recently sent in my application for the materials engineering program at McGill University. I was all set on this career path but doubt is beginning to set in. Friends and family have been telling me that materials engineering is a dead-end, that the jobs are few, and growth minuscule. They...
  4. H

    Recycling of gas and other materials in galaxies

    Hello, I am reading a fabulous (though somewhat older book) called "Intelligent life in the Universe" by s. Sagan and I.S. Shklovskii. They describe intense magnetic fields extending from the galactic core that channel interstellar gas and dust into the spiral arms which are the primary site...
  5. H

    Need a list of core materials and their permeabilities

    Anyone know where I can get a list of different core materials and their permeabilities?
  6. P

    Statics - Mechanics of Materials, check my work please?

    Could someone please check this for me? I attached a rough free body diagram of the whole frame. Any help is appreciated. Homework Statement The member ACF of the frame loaded as shown is connected to member BCD by means of a smooth peg and slot C with force P = 930 N at point D...
  7. N

    Calculate the R-value of the stack of materials

    Homework Statement Calculate the R-value of the stack of materials whose total thickness is made up of the individual thicknesses: material 1; k = 0.123 W/m/K, thickness = 0.103 m material 2: k = 0.234 W/m/K, thickness = 0.092 m material 3: k = 0.345 W/m/K, thickness = 0.081 mHence...
  8. M

    Why Some Materials Are Sensitive to Gases & How Doping Affects Them

    hi.. please tell me that 1) why some materials like ZnO, SnO, Pt, etc r sensitive to gases and others like Si, Ge, InP, GaAs, etc r not sensitive to gases. 2) how doping increase the sensitivity of a certain material to certain gases.
  9. M

    Strongest Magnetic Materials: Rare Earths and NdBFe

    As far as I am aware, Rare Earths and particularly NdBFe is the strongest known magnetic material. Is this true and what is the strongest magnetic material known that it is in common use and what is possible theoretically? Thank you.
  10. H

    Resonant wavelength of a cavity resonator using different internal materials?

    Hello everyone, Recently I have been studying cavity resonators. I noticed that all cavity resonators have air in them, but I was wondering what the effects would be if something other than air was used? For the sake of simplicity let's say we put a dielectric material in it with a...
  11. J

    Tips for getting samples of materials

    If you are a student, or a budding entrepreneur, your R&D budget may be limited. But it is during this time that getting your hands on material is most important! I've had some success with (what is basically) e-begging so I'm sharing my strategies with anyone that can make use of them 1)...
  12. Femme_physics

    Mechanics of Materials - Angle of Torsion

    Homework Statement http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/3373/torsionquestion.jpg Homework Equations (In the solution) The Attempt at a Solution I got M(max) and d correct. I can't get the angle. But I'm using the formula exactly as is. What's wrong...
  13. Femme_physics

    Mechanics of Materials - Torsion

    Homework Statement http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/736/mmaterials.jpg Homework Equations http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/8739/releq.jpg The Attempt at a Solution http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/7017/pitul.jpg The answers turn up (a) 56.6 MPa and (b) 36.6 MPa so I'm...
  14. A

    Free Oscillations of materials

    Problem A vertical oscillating system consist of three equal springs with elasticity coefficient c , among which a mass m=2kg is suspended.The system oscillates according to the following law of motion x(t)=0,4 cos 4t+0,5 sin 4t , (m) . Determine: 1) The equivalent elasticity...
  15. F

    Dielectric materials in Optical Traps

    Why are optical traps constructed using beads that are made of dielectric materials? What property of dielectrics is being employed here? Would a non-dielectric material still experience radiation force from photons? Thanks!
  16. L

    Conduction and lossless materials

    Ok, I am looking over stuff for an exam. I am a bit confused on something. When conductivity is zero, a medium is lossless. Zero conductivity means infinite resistance. For infinite resistance, no electrons will flow, but an electric field can propagate forever. A wire has high conductivity, so...
  17. Femme_physics

    Mechanics of Materials - Shear and Compression

    Homework Statement http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/9815/mechmatt.jpg P = 235 kN d = 50mm (diameter of the axis) t = 20 mm t1 = 12 mm Safety coeffecient = 2.0 σy = 320 MPa Check the axis for strength (shear and compression) Homework Equations...
  18. F

    Why X-Rays can go through Materials

    Hello! I was wondering, why X-Rays can go through some materials, such as skin, whereas light from the visible spectrum cannot go through these(although holding a flashlight to your hand does create a red glow). Likewise, why are X-Rays stopped at the bone, and not the skin? Lastly, why does...
  19. P

    Distribution of surface materials and friction

    I'm trying to search for information relating to friction and a surface with different parts made of different materials. For example, a plastic box is attached to a wooden box and slid down a track. If we were to switch how the plastic and wood was distributed on the surface, e.g. by...
  20. M

    Testing Where Can I Find Previous Physics GRE Exams in PDF Format?

    Hi guys, I'm a first-semester junior seeking some quality study resources relevant to the physics GRE. I've heard that ETS has released a few exams from past years... Where (if anywhere) can I find the previous exams in some reasonable format, like PDF? The best I can find is this website...
  21. D

    Why are wet materials transparent?

    Many materials, such as paper and cloth, are transparent when wet. Of course I understand that water is transparent, but why does a non-transparent material become transparent when something is _added_ to it? If there is some material that blocks the path of the photons, how does adding yet...
  22. N

    Mechanics of Materials - is this correct?

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I was attempting to solve this exercise, but since I have no answers, I have no way of knowing if it's correct. Any help Is more than appreciated
  23. A

    Silver Coating Various Materials

    Hi, mirrors are made by coating glass with tin and then silver. I was wondering whether it would be possible to coat other materials with silver e.g. fibreglass? Assuming of course that an appropriate smooth finish could be achieved that would produce a mirror like finish in the end.
  24. PolywellGuy

    Can proton bombardment create cracking in materials?

    Hello, When neutrons hit materials, it can cause them to degrade and crack. The way this is measured is in displacements per atom. The equation for this effect is the following: Displacements per atom = neutron flux * time * materials cross section (@ that neutron energy) Cracks...
  25. C

    Attraction of magnets to ferromagnetic materials with distance?

    all i can find on the internet are the attractive and repulsive forces between 2 magnets... where can i find the relationship between distance and attractive force , between a magnet and i.e. a piece of iron?
  26. H

    Bio-Inspired Materials: Research & Resources

    Hi Do any of you know any good websites on bio inspired materials? I have tried to do a search but only random sites that are not related to it comes up?
  27. N

    How will hydrophobic materials help in oil removal from water?

    Hello, I thought hydrophobic materials are materials which repel water? How will they help in removing oil from water? Thank you
  28. N

    Are superconductors dia magnetic materials?

    are superconductors dia magnetic materials?? if so, what are similarities between them??
  29. D

    Materials for a transportation design project

    Hi all, I'm a student studying transportation design at university and I've been given a project where i need to design a lightweight family vehicle. We've been told to especially look deep into new materials that are lighter than the materials currently in use that don't compromise the safety...
  30. Femme_physics

    Mechanics of Materials - Where's my mistake?

    Homework Statement http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/6346/missrd.jpg Across the axis of a steel rod act 3 forces: F1 = 80 kN F2 = 50 kN F3 = 30 kN Crossection area of rod = 4cm2 What are the forces that are being made a the different parts of the rod, and what will be it's overall...
  31. R

    How Do You Calculate Maximum Torque in a Hollow Shaft?

    Homework Statement A hollow shaft has torque being applied on both sides. The angle of twist is 50 degrees, the diameter is 100 mm, the thickness t has 5 mm. We are given that the allowable stress is 120 MPa, and the allowable shear stress is 50 MPa. We are asked to solve for the...
  32. O

    What materials can transfer sound vibration?

    If water is hold inside the water bottle, which is made of plastic, and I play music within the room, can the sound vibration get through the plastic bottle and transfer it into water? Does anyone have any suggestions on what kind of materials to hold the water to get the best transfer rate on...
  33. T

    Why aren’t all materials magnetic?

    Include in your response an explanation of the relationship between spinning electrons and the direction of the magnetic fields they produce in magnetic and non-magnetic materials.
  34. Y

    Friction - Influence of mass with elastic materials

    Hi, I'm doing some research on friction, and I did some tests with 4 different types of floor. Now the first of these four floors is a sport surface (it has a polyurethane top coat), the second one is a floor-tile (with fabric on top), the third one a piece of foam and the fourth a piece of...
  35. Femme_physics

    Mechanics of Materials basic exercise

    Homework Statement A graded steel cylinder AISI 1030 is connected to a wall and loaded with axial forces. http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/3959/fbd1.jpg Given: F = 30 [kN] d1 = 35mm d2 = 20mm Elastic Model: E = 2x105 MPa Safely coeffecient: 2 Yield strength limit: 440...
  36. P

    Pressure scales depending on size and super dense materials

    I could not decide where to post this, it concerns astronomy to a degree but my question mostly involves pressure which I assumed was a physics question mostly so I put it here. My question is that, if were actualy interested in designing a space suit that could survive crushing pressures...
  37. O

    Device to measure materials' vibration?

    Someone tells me that every objects has its own vibration, such as stone, water ... When bee is flying, the sound of vibration can be heard at different speed, bbbbbbb ... but not all vibration can be heard by us. Does anyone have any suggestions on what kinds of device can measure...
  38. M

    Does Burning Material Create Ash and Smoke?

    Hello, Ive got what some can call a simple question. When an object is burning, I know the 3 things a fire needs are energy, fuel and oxygen. When the object, let's say a sheet of paper, do the oxygen atoms combine with atoms of the paper and become the ash, soot, and smoke the results? I...
  39. jaketodd

    Materials that radio frequency EM waves can penetrate

    Can radio waves penetrate steel? What about titanium? Maybe a characterization of what they can't penetrate would be more informative? ...Or a way to figure out what materials they can penetrate. Thanks, Jake
  40. Low-Q

    Curie point for ferromagnetic materials

    Hi, I have searched the web for a graph that shows the ferromagnetic properties of a metal like iron or nickel as they warms up to the Curie temperature - when the metals becomes non-ferromagnetic. I cannot find any good images or graphs that shows this very clear. I have been told that the...
  41. B

    Prove that transversly isotropic materials have 5 independant elastic constants

    Homework Statement So I need to prove that transversly isotropic materials have 5 independent elastic constants. I can prove that an orthotropic material has 9 independent elastic constants. I need to use the transformation matrix to show that some of the 9 mentioned components are equal for...
  42. Q

    Materials Eng & Electrical Eng for Neural Prosthetics/Muscles

    I know and have known for a while now that I want to be involved with neural prosthetics, and artificial limbs and muscles. I eventually plan on getting a graduate degree in biomedical engineering, but for the sake of knowledge, experience, and security, I plan to get my undergrad degree in one...
  43. L

    Looking for information on piezomagnetic materials

    Could someone help me understand the strength of fields that can be produced with piezomagnetism? I have not had much luck with searches for these materials.
  44. A

    Materials Engineering - Aluminum Tubing Strength

    Background info: This is for a trebuchet I plan on building. Obviously lighter is better especially for the throwing arm which is why I need your help in figuring out that problem, so I can get it as light as possible without it having even a remote chance of failing. If there's information...
  45. C

    Magnetic Materials: Why are Some Magnetic?

    Homework Statement today, my teacher asked us a question. he asked, have you ever wondered why materials are magnetic? why are some materials magnetic and some are not? are the magnetic materials specifically chosen to be magnetic or non magnetic? what makes them magnetic? and my class...
  46. T

    Materials Balance question for assignment. Help needed.

    Hi guys, I'm currently doing an assignment which seems to be beyond my knowledge and would like to ask for some helps. There are 2 questions I am currently stuck on: 1] A natural gas analyzes CH4, 80.0 percent and N2, 20.0 percent. It is burned under a boiler and most of the CO2 is scrubbed...
  47. C

    Attraction between ferromagnetic materials in a magnetic field: what is this?

    Hello! Just so you know, I am a high school student. I am asking about this because I am an IB student and doing an extended essay (it's basically research, and a bunch of experimentation to answer a research question) on something related to magnetic fields, ferromagnetic materials, or...
  48. J

    Energy required to heat different materials?

    Hello:) I am doing thermal physics at the moment, and am up to the part on specific heat capacity. I know that the equation Q=mc\DeltaT refers to the amount of energy required to raise the temperature by 1 degree celcius, but I am just a bit confused about how the energy is calculated. For...
  49. H

    Q: What are the best study materials for understanding Ewald summation?

    I'm doing my masters thesis on ewald summation, I am searching for proper study materials for that... what I have is only papers(which you know doesnot explain everything they do!). It would be of great help if you can find me a few sources.. Please help. Thanks.
  50. W

    Why can you blow glass and not other materials?

    Hi. Often, when I am a tour guide at the Museum of Glass, Tacoma,WA. glassblowing shop. I get a question for which I don't have a definitive answer. I thought someone might know What is special about glass that enables it to be formed by blowing? Which forces are the major factors in holding...
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