Materials Science Experiments to find unknown material

In summary, the Materials Science and Engineering student has determined the density, hardness, and conductivity of four unknown materials using non-destructive testing. They are also out of ideas for further tests, and are looking for suggestions. One possible test is an eyeball test.
  • #1
maceng7
18
0

Homework Statement


I have a project for my Materials Science and Engineering class and we have were given 4 unknown materials and we have to determine which kind of materials they are. We have to come up with our own experiments. As of now, I've done the Rockwell hardness test, electrical conductivity tests and have determined the density of each material. I've ran out of ideas for tests to conduct so if anyone has some suggestions that would be greatly appreciated thanks.

Two of the materials are some sort of metal discs, one material looks to be a ceramic tile and the other is a foam.
 
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  • #2
Have you checked the metallic disks to see if they are magnetic?

BTW, what sort of different tests do you have available. Are you limited to just non-destructive testing?
 
  • #3
And don't forget x-ray powder diffraction!
 
  • #4
Hey thanks for your replies. Yes I am only limited to non-destructive tests. So I can't do any tensile or compression tests. A magnetic test is a great idea, I just don't know of any other tests that will tell me exactly what material I'm dealing with. Like I said, I've tested for conductivity and I've done a hardness test. I've also determined the density of both metallic disks. I couldn't determine the density of the material that looks to be a ceramic tile because there are some grooves in the material and it wouldn't be accurate. I've also placed all the materials in water to see their relative density compared to water. I'm just kind of out of ideas and I've searched the internet but I couldn't find much.
 
  • #5
How about an eyeball test? Examine the materials with a microscope.
 
  • #6
maceng7 said:
Hey thanks for your replies. Yes I am only limited to non-destructive tests. So I can't do any tensile or compression tests. A magnetic test is a great idea, I just don't know of any other tests that will tell me exactly what material I'm dealing with. Like I said, I've tested for conductivity and I've done a hardness test. I've also determined the density of both metallic disks. I couldn't determine the density of the material that looks to be a ceramic tile because there are some grooves in the material and it wouldn't be accurate. I've also placed all the materials in water to see their relative density compared to water. I'm just kind of out of ideas and I've searched the internet but I couldn't find much.

You can get the densities of the tiles by weighting the tiles, and then doing a water displacement test on them to determine their volume. There are also non-destructive tests you can do to measure mechanical properties, such as ultrasonic tests or speed of sound. You might also be able to do some sort of bending test on the samples, depending on their geometry.

It doesn't seem like you've exhausted the list of properties you can measure. What about thermal properties? What about coefficient of thermal expansion?
 
  • #7
Perhaps you could put them (some of them) between the plates of a capacitor and measure their dielectric properties?
 

FAQ: Materials Science Experiments to find unknown material

What is the process for conducting a materials science experiment to find an unknown material?

The process for conducting a materials science experiment to find an unknown material typically involves the following steps:

  • 1. Identify the properties of the unknown material that need to be determined.
  • 2. Design an experiment that will test for those properties.
  • 3. Gather materials and equipment needed for the experiment.
  • 4. Conduct the experiment and record data.
  • 5. Analyze the data and compare it to known materials to determine the identity of the unknown material.

What are some common techniques used in materials science experiments to find unknown materials?

Some common techniques used in materials science experiments to find unknown materials include:

  • 1. Spectroscopy: This involves analyzing the light emitted or absorbed by a material to determine its chemical composition.
  • 2. X-ray diffraction: This technique uses X-rays to determine the atomic and molecular structure of a material.
  • 3. Thermal analysis: This involves heating or cooling a material and measuring its response to changes in temperature.
  • 4. Microscopy: This allows for the observation and measurement of a material at a microscopic level.
  • 5. Tensile testing: This measures the strength and elasticity of a material under tension.

How long does it typically take to conduct a materials science experiment to find an unknown material?

The duration of a materials science experiment to find an unknown material can vary depending on the complexity of the experiment and the number of properties being tested. It can range from a few hours to several days or even weeks.

What are some challenges that may arise during a materials science experiment to find an unknown material?

Some challenges that may arise during a materials science experiment to find an unknown material include:

  • 1. Limited sample size: If the sample of the unknown material is small, it may be difficult to conduct multiple experiments or obtain accurate results.
  • 2. Contamination: If the sample is contaminated with other materials, it may skew the results and make it difficult to determine the true properties of the unknown material.
  • 3. Time and resource constraints: Conducting materials science experiments can be time-consuming and require specialized equipment and resources, which may not be readily available.
  • 4. Lack of prior knowledge: If there is limited information available about the unknown material, it may be challenging to design an effective experiment or compare results to known materials.

What are some potential applications of materials science experiments to find unknown materials?

Materials science experiments to find unknown materials have a wide range of potential applications, including:

  • 1. Identifying new or improved materials for use in various industries, such as aerospace, electronics, and healthcare.
  • 2. Understanding the properties of materials found in nature, such as minerals and rocks.
  • 3. Investigating the composition of archaeological artifacts or historical objects.
  • 4. Developing new materials for renewable energy sources.
  • 5. Improving the efficiency and durability of existing materials.

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