Select Suitable Materials Assignment

Task 1There are at least 8 factors that come into play for the selection of materials all of

which is taken into consideration for making a product to perform its job efficiently and correctly, six of which are the following;

Cost – This is obviously effected by how easy the material is too extrude from the earth and the demand around the world. This can become a big part in selection of materials because for example if you wanted to produce a crane and the ideal material was carbon fibre this would not be ideal for production costs so the most likely material for a crane would be steel as its more cost effective.

Weight – This is defined as mass per unit volume and is obviously a main criteria for many types of products. If we wanted to make an aircraft, we would use aluminium due to the material being very light and cost effective.

Recyclability – Now with new laws and regulations, how easy a product is to recycle is becoming a major factor within companies to cut “Co2 emissions” for example Easter eggs are now being packaged in cardboard instead of PVC moulds

Material Properties – This is the specific characteristic of the material such as modulus of elasticity or density if we wanted to make a jet fighter we would choose to use a light aluminum alloy as it is light, corrosive resistant and at same time very ductile and easily drawn.

Processability – This is a material chosen by how well it is easy to mould and have the crystal structure modified by heat treatment. Car body panels would be made out of low carbon steel due to the fact it is very malleable and at same time is good at absorbing energy which is ideal for possible impacts.

Service Conditions – This is the influence a component may be subjected to when in service, for example if we wanted to maintain electronic components they would need to be earthed to eliminate short circuiting.

Task 2Engineering materials can be classified in one of four ways these are

Metals – a variety of metals they are in two main categories Ferrous alloys and Non Ferrous Alloys, Some of the ferrous alloys are mild steel, stainless steel and cast irons. Some of the Non ferrous alloys include Zinc, Aluminium, Copper, Lead, tungsten and some precious metals such as gold and platinum

Plastics – there are three types of plastics they are thermoplastics, thermosets and natural polymers. Some thermoplastics include polyalkenes, polystyrenes, PVC and acetals. Some thermosets are epoxies, silicones, natural rubber and nitrile rubber. Natural polymers are cellulose and protein based.

Ceramics – ceramics have four categories glasses, domestic ceramics, engineering ceramics, natural ceramics and electronic materials. Glasses have pyroceramics, borosilicate glasses and soda lime glass. Domestic ceramics are things such as soda lime porcelain, stone ware and cement. Engineering ceramics are carbides and nitrides. Natural ceramics and carbonaceous rocks and siliceous rocks and electronic materials such as ferrites and semi conductors.

Composites – these are not tailor made materials they include natural for example wood, Particulates consisting of strong particles held in weak material for example concrete, Laminates fibrous materials bonded together such as ply wood and reinforced composites consisting of fibres such as glass fibre.