What do materials engineers do? examples

[Archaeopteryx]

I'm currently in university and am taking supplemental math classes for an engineering major. I am currently undecided which engineering path to chose to major in as of yet. Materials engineering caught my eye and I just want to know some examples to work that materials engineers do. I have read articles about the general idea, but I would like to know specific examples if that is available. Thanks so much!

 

[chill_factor]

i think it heavily depends on what field of materials science you're in. electronics for example require vastly different skills than alloys.

alot of materials jobs also require advanced degrees (MS/PHD) and hire not only materials science majors, but related majors like physics, chemistry, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, etc.

 

[litup]

I'm currently in university and am taking supplemental math classes for an engineering major. I am currently undecided which engineering path to chose to major in as of yet. Materials engineering caught my eye and I just want to know some examples to work that materials engineers do. I have read articles about the general idea, but I would like to know specific examples if that is available. Thanks so much!

I am part of a team of 2 Phd material scientists/engineers, I am just a tech, but a dam good one! What we are developing is a thermal printhead based on thin film technology. There is a lot of experimentation going on right now using a sputtering machine to come up with thin film resistors made of silicon and tungsten Carbide, it turns out to be difficult to make resistors for heat purposes in the 1000 ohm range and we are coming up with processes that will do that.

Normally, thin film resistors made of some metal or other gives very low resistance which is fine for wires and such, power distribution, but when you want an electrical heater, such as we make, 1000 of them in a bar about 3 inches long, you have to have much higher resistance, 1000 ohms or more. They heat up with fast pulses of 24 volts dc.

There are a lot of variables to study, there are papers and patents written but our work will be unique and will result in patents and papers written.

BTW, thermal printheads are the guts of the printers used in grocery stores, gas stations, fast food outlets and the like, there are literally millions of them in use and the heads only last a year or two at best because of the constant scrubbing of the thermal paper wearing out the little bumps that makes up the microscopic heaters that makes the little black dots on the paper.

There is also a thermal paper print technology that gives color. The heater dots have to respond with a pulse of heat in about one millisecond or less and the heat generated has to work its way through various electrical, insulator and protective layers and still be microscopic sized when it gets to the paper.

I think it's pretty amazing the printheads can make those microscopic sized dots of heat that heats up and dies down in temperature in less than a millisecond.

 

[hotvette]

I have a friend who is a materials engineer and worked on metal joining techniques (brazing, welding, etc.).

 

[alphy]

I can provide you with a response to your question about materials engineering. Materials engineers play a crucial role in the development and improvement of various materials used in everyday products, structures, and technology. They use their knowledge of chemistry, physics, and engineering principles to design, test, and analyze materials to meet specific performance requirements.

Some examples of the work that materials engineers do include:

1. Developing new materials: Materials engineers work to create new materials with improved properties, such as strength, durability, and flexibility. For example, they may develop new alloys for use in the aerospace industry or new composites for use in sports equipment.

2. Improving existing materials: Materials engineers also work to improve the properties of existing materials. They may modify the composition or structure of a material to make it more lightweight, corrosion-resistant, or heat-resistant, for example.

3. Testing and analyzing materials: Materials engineers use a variety of techniques, such as microscopy and spectroscopy, to study the structure and properties of materials. This helps them understand how materials behave under different conditions and how they can be improved.

4. Quality control: Materials engineers are responsible for ensuring that materials meet specific quality standards. They may perform tests and inspections on materials to ensure they are safe and reliable for their intended use.

5. Designing new products: Materials engineers work closely with product designers to choose the best materials for a particular product. They consider factors such as cost, performance, and sustainability to select the most suitable materials.

6. Research and development: Many materials engineers work in research and development, where they conduct experiments, analyze data, and develop new materials and processes.

In summary, materials engineers play a critical role in the development and improvement of materials used in various industries. They use their knowledge and skills to create new materials, improve existing ones, and ensure that materials meet specific quality standards. I hope this information helps you in your decision-making process for your engineering major. Best of luck in your studies!