Distinction should include describing materials as
- organic or inorganic
- renewable or nonrenewable
- engineering (e.g., metallic, magnetic, insulating, polymeric, ceramic, composite) or non-engineering (e.g., gases and liquids).
Distinction should also include the concept that materials science centers on the relationships among the processing, structure, properties, and performance of six major classes of materials:
- Metals
- Ceramics
- Polymers
- Composites
- Conductors, semiconductors, or insulators
- Biomaterials
- Materials for additive manufacturing
Process/Skill Questions:
- What are examples of modern manufacturing materials?
- What makes a material organic vs. inorganic?
- What factors determine material selection?
- What are common alloys and exotic composites?