Download metals

PRODUCT DESIGN
MATERAIL
PRODUCT DESIGN MATERIALS
thousands of materials are available for use in product design.
Most materials fall into one of four classes that are based on the
properties of a particular material.
–
–
–
–
Metals
Polymers
Ceramics
Composites
Within each of these classifications, materials are often further
organized into groups based on their chemical composition or
certain physical or mechanical properties.
Composite materials are often grouped by the types of materials
combined or the way the materials are arranged together.
METALS
a solid material that is typically hard, opaque, shiny, and
features good electrical and thermal conductivity.
generally malleable (can be hammered or pressed permanently
out of shape), fusible (able to be fused or melted) and ductile
(able to be drawn out into a thin wire).
metals are corrosion resistant except iron and steel which rust
quickly.
stainless steel is very rust resistant.
when choosing a metal for a particular job the properties must
be considered. examples of metals: steel, steel alloys, copper,
aluminium, silver, zinc, nickel, lead, tin, titanium, platinum,
uranium, manganese
POLYMERS
made from long chain molecules which may
have cross linking bonds affecting
flexibility/stiffness.
Some examples of polymers are
– plastics, PVC, nylon, polycarbonate, acrylic, epoxy
resin, formaldehyde, neoprene, natural rubber,
elastic bands, melamine (resin in construction
material)
CERAMIC
used to describe a broad range of materials that include glass,
enamel, concrete, cement, pottery, brick, porcelain, and
chinaware.
Glass-Ceramics - an accidental overheating of a glass furnace
led to the discovery of materials known as glass-ceramics.
When the glass was overheated, small crystals formed in the
amorphous material that prevented cracks from propagating
through the glass
COMPOSITES
made by combining two or more materials – often ones that
have very different properties.
materials work together to give the composite unique properties.
one is the binding chemical and the other is the reinforcer.
concrete is a composite (the cement is the binding and the
gravel and steel rods are the reinforcer) as are bricks made from
clay reinforced with straw.
natural composites include wood, shell and bone.
the first modern composite material was fibreglass. It is still
widely used today for boat hulls, sports equipment, building
panels and many car bodies.
MATERIAL SELECTION
Material selection is a step in the process of designing.
the main goal of material selection is to minimize cost while
meeting product criteria and constraints.
Selection begins with properties and costs of materials
important to meet the performance characteristics and ecocompatibility of products….i.e., keeping a small environmental
footprint.
The objective is to introduce environmental considerations in
the selection of the materials used in components, meeting
functional and performance requirements while minimizing the
environmental impact.
EXAMPLES
CLASS
COMMON PROPERTIES

Metals
Polymers
Ferrous metals and alloys (irons,
carbon steels, alloy steels, stainless
steels, tool and die steels)
 Nonferrous metals and alloys
(aluminum, copper, magnesium,
nickel, titanium, precious metals,
refractory metals, superalloys)








polystyrene (cups)
polyethylene (plastic bags)
artificial joints…prosthetics
nylon
silicone
PVC pipes
clothing
plastic water bottles

hard, ductile and conduct heat and
electricity

widely variable, often soft and flexible

Ceramics
Composites





glass-ceramic cooktop
armoured fighting vehicles
ceramic brake disks
ballistic armored vests
airplane cockpit protection


cement, concrete, brick
composite wood (particle board,
melamine)
epoxy resin
aerospace components
fishing rods
boat hulls




hard, brittle, resistant to corrosion,
electrically non-conductive
 extremely durable, a very low
coefficient of expansion.
 it was also transparent to radar, which
made it ideal for use for anti-aircraft
missiles


light as well as strong
new material can be made that exactly
meets the requirements of a particular
application. Provide design flexibility