Module 2

POLYMERS – ‘poly’ means many, ‘meros’ means units or numbers. Molecules are made from
many repeat units. The molecules are macromolecules, big, long-chain molecules.
MONOMERS – repeat units, chemically join together to form long chains. Joined together by
strong covalent bonds

Types of Polymers

Thermoplastic
ABS – Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, often abbreviated as ABS, is an opaque engineering
thermoplastic widely used in electronic housings, auto parts, consumer products, pipe
fittings, Lego toys etc.

Acrylic – is a transparent plastic material with outstanding strength, stiffness, and optical
clarity. Common uses include lenses, acrylic nails, paint, security barriers, medical devices,
LCD screens, and furniture. Because of its clarity, it is also often used for windows, tanks,
and enclosures around exhibits.

Nylon – a tough, lightweight, elastic synthetic polymer with a protein-like chemical structure,
and able to be produced as filaments, sheets, or molded objects.

Composition: made from two monomers, each containing six carbon atoms.

Nylon is used for a variety of applications, including clothing, reinforcement in rubber

Polyethylene – a tough, light, flexible synthetic resin made by polymerizing ethylene, chiefly
used for plastic bags, food containers, and other packaging.

The primary uses of polyethylene are in packaging film, garbage bags, grocery bags,
insulation for wires and cables, agricultural mulch, bottles, toys, and houseware. Polythene
is also used in trays, fruit juice containers, milk containers, crates, and food packaging
products.

Polystyrene – a synthetic resin which is a polymer of styrene, used chiefly as lightweight rigid
foams and films.

Vinyl – synthetic resin or plastic consisting of polyvinyl chloride or a related polymer, used
for wallpapers and other covering materials and for records.

Thermosetting

Epoxy – any of a class of adhesives, plastics, or other materials that are polymers of
epoxides.

Phenolic – usually thermosetting resin or plastic.

Polyester – is a synthetic fiber derived from coal, air, water, and petroleum.

Elastomers

Butyl – an alkyl radical —C4H9, derived from butane.a synthetic rubber, a copolymer of
isobutylene with isoprene.
Fluorocarbon – is an elastomer based on fluororubber. also known as VITON, which can be
used for U-cups, lip seals, packings, wipers, and special seals.

Neoprene rubber – a synthetic polymer resembling rubber, resistant to oil, heat, and
weathering.

Silicone – any of a class of synthetic materials which are polymers with a chemical structure
based on chains of alternate silicon and oxygen atoms, with organic groups attached to the
silicon atoms.

Module 3
• Engineers of any branch, has to deal with materials for their proper utilization .

• Whether his product is a bridge, an automobile, knowledge of properties and behavior

• Service condition include the effect of mechanical loading, temperature, magnetic field,
and chemical surroundings.

• It is impossible for the engineer to have detailed knowledge of thousands of materials.

PROPERTIES OF METALS

1. Physical properties

2. Chemical properties

3. Thermal properties

4. Electrical properties

5. Magnetic properties

6. Optical properties

7. Mechanical properties

8. Technological properties

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Density - Mass per unit volume is called as density. In metrics ystem its unit is kg/m3.
Because of very low density, aluminum and magnesium are preferred in aeronautic and
transportation applications.

Porosity-A material is called as porous or permeable if it has pores within it.

Size and shape - Dimensions of any metal reflect the size and shape of the material. Length,
width, height, depth, curvature diameter etc. determines the size. Shape specifies the
rectangular, square, circular or any other section.

Specific Gravity- Specific gravity of any metal is the ratio of the mass of a given volume of the
metal to the mass of the same volume of water at a specified temperature.
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

The study of chemical properties of materials is necessary because most of the engineering
materials, when they come in contact with other substances with which they can react,
suffer from chemical deterioration of the surface of the metal.

Corrosion is the gradual deterioration of material by chemical reaction with its environment.

Composition – can be determined by analytical chemistry.

Corrosion resistance - is the ability to prevent environmental deterioration by chemical or

Corrosion affects both metallic as well as nonmetallic materials like bricks, concrete etc…

THERMAL PROPERTIES

Melting Point - is the temperature at which a pure metal or compound changes its shape
from solid to liquid.

ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES

Conductivity- is defined as the ability of the material to pass electric current through it easily
i.e. the material which is conductive will provide an easy path for the flow of electricity
through it.

Dielectric Strength- It means insulating capacity of material at high voltage. A material

Resistivity- It is the property of a material by which it resists the flow of electricity through it.

Thermoelectricity- If two dissimilar metals are joined and then this junction is heated, a
small voltage (in the milli-volt range) is produced, and this is known as thermoelectric effect.
It is the base of the thermocouple. Thermo -couples are prepared using the properties of
metals.

MAGNETIC PROPERTIES

PERMEABILITY - It is the property of magnetic material which indicates that how easily the
magnetic flux is build up in the material. Some time is also called as the magnetic
susceptibility of material. A material selected for magnetic core in electrical machines
should have high permeability, so that required magnetic flux can be produced in core by
less ampere-turns.

HYSTERESIS - Hysteresis loops happen when you repeatedly wiggle the system back and
forth (cycle the field up and down).

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES

Elasticity- It is defined as the property of a material to regain its original shape after
deformation when the external forces are removed.

Yield point- At a specific stress, ductile metals particularly ceases offering resistance to
tensile forces.
Strength- is defined as the ability of material to resist the externally applied forces or
stresses without fracture.

Fatigue – The failure of a material caused under repeated loads or stresses is known as
fatigue or fatigue failure.

Stiffness- It is defined as the ability of a material to resist deformation under stress.

Plasticity- is defined the mechanical property of a material which retains the deformation
produced under load permanently.

Ductility- is termed as the property of a material enabling it to be drawn into wire with the
application of tensile load.

Malleability – is the ability of the material to be flattened into thin sheets under applications
of heavy compressive forces without cracking by hot or cold working means.

Hardness - is defined as the ability of a metal to cut another metal.resistance to wear,

Brittleness- is the property of a material opposite to ductility. It is the property of breaking of

Creep- when a metal part when is subjected to a high constant stress at high temperature
for a longer period of time, it will undergo a slow and permanent deformation (in form of a
crack which may further propagate further towards creep failure) called creep.

Toughness- toughness is the amount of energy that a material can absorb before it fractures.

Workability or Formability- It is the property of metals which denotes the ease in its forming
in to various shapes and sizes.The different factors that affect the formability are crystal
structure of metal, grain size of metal hot and cold working, alloying element present in the
parent metal.

Resilience – is the capacity of a material to absorb or store energy, and to resist shock and
impact.

TECHNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

SOLDERABILITY - Solder is melted by using heat from an iron connected to a temperature

WORKABILITY - of a metal is how easily it can be changed into a new shape and can usually
be improved by increasing its temperature.

Castability- is defined as the property of metal, which indicates the ease with it can be
casted into different shapes and sizes. Cast iron, aluminium and brass are possessing good
castability.

Weldability - is defined as the property of a metal which indicates the two similar or
dissimilar metals are joined by fusion with or without the application of pressure and with or
without the use of filler metal (welding) efficiently.