What is Material: Definition and 1000 Discussions

A material is a substance or mixture of substances that constitutes an object. Materials can be pure or impure, living or non-living matter. Materials can be classified based on their physical and chemical properties, or on their geological origin or biological function. Materials science is the study of materials and their applications.
Raw materials can be processed in different ways to influence their properties, by purification, shaping or the introduction of other materials. New materials can be produced from raw materials by synthesis.
In industry, materials are inputs to manufacturing processes to produce products or more complex materials.

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  1. M

    Programs Switch majors from ME to material science?

    Hey, I’m kinda of in a crisis in my head here. I’m in the US to pursue my masters in mechanical engineering. After the introductory material science course, I believe I’ve got a greater interest towards materials than mechanical engineering. Would transferring to Material Science be a good...
  2. E

    Interesting topics of material fracture/deformation?

    What are some interesting topics in the field of material fracture and deformation? Maybe a newer area of research?
  3. M

    Where do Solid-State Physics and Material Science overlap?

    Where are the solid-state Physics and Material Sciences overlapping? which topics?
  4. S

    What is the best material for making gears?

    For making gears as light and strong as possible, what is the best material to use?
  5. M

    Is the posted program a "Physics of Material Science" program?

    Is the posted program a program of Physics of Material Science ? Can anyone help>> https://www.uni-leipzig.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Physics_IPSP_BSc_27.04.17.pdf > https://www.uni-leipzig.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Physics_IPSP_MSc_28.04.17.pdf
  6. prashantakerkar

    Aquarium fish tank: Glass material alternatives

    Can there be alternative materials for Aquarium fish tank instead of glass? Example : Stainless steel, Aluminium Plastic, Concrete etc If yes, which materials can be evaluated?
  7. N

    Stargazing Is there any material I can use for an aperture solar filter?

    I live in a small town and would like to make some observations today. However i don't have a solar aperture filter, i only have an eyepiece filter of which i do not trust. So is there any household items, materials i could use safely to save me from from ordering on the net and waiting...
  8. Pat Trainor

    Need a material that can hold Helium....

    Experts, I'm in need of a balloon to hold an RF antenna aloft, and that can have a light (LED) in it. For cost & safety, it appears Helium is the choice. But everything I'm reading says that He atoms are so tiny they pass (eventually) through traditional balloon materials quickly. There is a...
  9. DucemBarr

    Help with high friction material choice

    Howdy! Could anyone advise on some high friction material combination ? I can't disclose full details of the application, but basically two flat parts a pressed together and force is applied along the plane of the joint. The pieces are about 4 square in, the force applied about 100 psi...
  10. K

    The height of a dielectric material between two coaxial pipes

    Homework Statement This is the exercise 10.6 from Feynman lectures on Physics 2. Two coaxial pipes of radii a and b(a<b) are lowered vertically into an oil bath. If a voltage V is applied between the pipes, show that the oil rises a height H. Show that H=(V^2)(κ-1)ε_0/[ln(b/a)ρ(b^2-a^2)g] where...
  11. M

    Difference between phase and grain in a material

    I couldn't get a good explanation differentiating phase and grain.From what I understood, a collection of unit cells arranged in the same orientation is called grain.A collection of grains with similar structure is called phase.Is this interpretation right?
  12. Suppaman

    No material, real or in theory can be perfectly rigid

    This is a thought experiment, and I am making it as simple as possible. It all takes place out in space. It is necessary to create something that is like a common nail with a large head. It is made of the most ridge material possible, something that is held together by the most potent force...
  13. chemisthypnos

    Is Boron Carbide the Key to Shattering Bullets in Armor Design?

    Does anyone know how this works? I hypothesize that the reason that the bullet shatters is that boron carbide is much harder than the copper of the bullet. Does anyone think that this may be made into a conventional armor design as some people are saying or is boron carbide too expensive for use...
  14. N

    Team discovers a first-of-its-kind material for the quantum age

  15. kolleamm

    What material changes temperature fast?

    What sort of materials or elements heat up really fast but also cool down fast as well? Thanks in advance
  16. D

    Programs Change of Major from Mechanical Engineering to Material Science

    Hello guys, I received an admit to grad school for Mechanical Engineering, where my focus was initially Thermo-Fluids . I've also enquired about the Material Science department at the University(in the USA), and they are willing to let me transfer to the Material Science department provided I...
  17. P

    Heterogeneities of the material properties

    Dear All, I don't have well background on material science. I would like to measure heterogeneity of a species (shrimp). How can I do it easily? Sincerely
  18. V

    A Material for Antennas: Can Slow Velocity Dipoles be Used?

    Would it be possible in theory to develop a material with very slow velocity factor to build dipoles immersed in a slow velocity factor gas in order to make much smaller HF antennas?
  19. T

    Complex Analysis prerequisite material review

    Homework Statement Identify the set of points satisfying ##1<\vert 2z-6\vert <2## such that ##z\in\Bbb{C}##. My pre-caculus is very rusty, so I am not sure if I am doing this correctly. Homework Equations ##x^2 +y^2= r^2## ##\forall z,z'\in\Bbb{C}, \vert zz'\vert =\vert z\vert\vert z'\vert##...
  20. F

    Converting a value material parameter

    Homework Statement I have E as a material parameter. It is a modulus of Elasticity It is given as: 109/E = 80/psi I want to write E as a value with units psi. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution Is this correct? 1/E = 80*109/psi So psi/E = 80*109 So E = 1.25*10^7 psi
  21. P

    Misc. Strong light material to be lifted by a drone?

    Hi, I am currently constructing a personal project, and I was wondering if anybody knew any thin material that was relatively light weight, cheap, and as strong as wood. I understand that carbon fiber exists, but this material is rather expensive. If anyone knows alternatives to using wood or...
  22. L

    A Calculating the spontaneous emission rate for a material

    Hi, Suppose I have a 1D material of length L, and I want to calculate the spontanious emission rate Γ at ressonance frequeny. From my understanding, when light passes in a material at ressonance frequency it gets absorved by an electron in the atom, and after a spontaneous emission time tspont...
  23. D

    Finding Material for Rib Pad: Tough, Waterproof, Salt-Resistant

    Background I broke my rib a few years ago. It healed in a way that it sticks out a little past the end of my rib-cage. I want to learn to surf, but it is uncomfortable to lay on my stomach on the board because of the rib. I would like to make a pad to relieve pressure on the rib that sticks out...
  24. E

    What is the best material to use to cut galvanized sheet metal?

    hello every one can you help me in selecting the material to be used in the blade of cutting machine which will be used to cut galvanized sheet metal
  25. zinnianora

    Want suggestions for MB6-894 study material

    Here is someone who advised me the best educational material for my MB6-894 exam, I need a progressive and suitable education material for my exam through which I can success my exam well.
  26. A

    Specific heat capacity of a solid material

    Homework Statement A 4.80 kg piece of solid material is heated from 16.4C to 219C (3 s.f.) using 787 kJ of energy (3 s.f.). Assuming an efficiency of 0.383 for the heating process, and that the material does not melt, calculate the specific heat capacity of the material. Homework Equations...
  27. romascenko

    Why is my material testing machine throwing out errors at speeds over 250mm/min?

    We have a problem with mentioned machine when making tests at speed like below 250mm/min its ok but if we go over that speed machine throws out error its like that the machine hasnt got enough power and because there is not smooth working programm shut down test. If i do a speed ramp to go up...
  28. Suyash Singh

    Studying Master Physics Concepts with Abundant Examples | Find the Best Site for Learning

    What is the best site to learn physics concepts with lots of examples? some site which doesn't show up on google. Like i give example of cplusplus.com which has all topics of c++ programs. Is there some physics site like that? Like i am always confused with pulley,strings, tension problems.
  29. K

    Programs Physic undergrad and material minor?

    Okay there's a lot to chow down here but I am at a standstill. Ultimately there are too many variables and unknowns but I need a framework. I am transferring over to ASU from a community college and have declared physics as my major. This is something I have planned on for a while because I am...
  30. mkematt96

    Linear Abrasion Testing PVC/Polymer Blend Hoses

    Working on a research project to develop a test standard for abrasion testing pressure washer hoses. Ideally this could be used on any sort of hose. We have a set procedure that has worked on a couple hoses that looks like this: .Weight applied is constant .Cycle speed is constant .Constant...
  31. T

    Heat Transfer and Combustion -- A furnace wall consists of three layers of material

    Homework Statement A furnace wall consists of three layers of material as shown below. The thermal conductivities are: Firebrick = 1.15 W m–1 K–1 Insulating brick = 0.17 W m–1 K–1 Ordinary brick = 0.62 W m–1 K–1 Calculate: (i) the thermal resistance of each layer (ii) the heat loss per...
  32. H

    Courses PhD in theoretical physics vs material science?

    Hello PF, I am currently pursuing my Masters in Physics with specialisation in material science. But I am interested in quantum mechanics and want to do PhD and then research in quantum mechanics. But in today's date is it good to go for theoretical physics rather than going for some...
  33. Greg Bernhardt

    New Material Created Known As 'Kagome Metal'

    Physicists Create Quantum Electronic Material Known As 'Kagome Metal' https://interestingengineering.com/physicists-create-quantum-electronic-material-known-as-kagome-metal
  34. Ricardo Gomes

    Vespel SP-1 material degradation in space applications

    Good afternoon, I'm trying to search only based on bibliography or numerical and theoretical calculations the change of the thermal optical properties, namely the solar absorptivity, of a polyimide-based plastics (VESPEL SP-1) in space conditions (considering radiation, atomized oxygen atoms...
  35. Casper Hansen

    Partial discharge material limiting values

    Hi PF According to IEC 60885-2 and IEC 60270 the acceptance criteria in partial discharge (PD) measurements on high voltage cable insulation state that PD level should be below (< 5 pC). The insulation material that is refereed to is often XLPE which is a sensitive insulation to PD. Other...
  36. M

    I Looking for additional material about limits and distributions

    I would like some help to find some additional info on generalized functions, generalized limits. My aim is to understand the strict definition of delta dirac δ(τ).If you could provide a concise tutorial focusing on δ(τ) not the entire theory...it would be of great help. I am not a math...
  37. D

    High Temperature, Non-conductive Material

    Does anyone know of any material that's not as brittle as ceramic that can withstand high temperatures and is non-conductive? I'm talking abou a max temp of 800degC of heat radiating from a hot steel coil. Components will be inside of the coil for a short period of time but trying to prepare...
  38. Vectronix

    B Why do material particles interact?

    Why do fermions exchange bosons with each other?
  39. maistral

    Perlite as an absorbing/adsorbing material

    I have a question regarding perlite; as far as I know perlite can be used as a dye absorbing material. After absorbing dye, what do people do with it? Dispose of it? Or is there a method to recover the used perlite? Thanks!
  40. E

    A What type of chamber and material would be required?

    To sustain a near perfect vacuum around a computer, that had an outgoing link? Also how would you defuse the temperature and vacuum loss of the outgoing cable to the other circuits? thanks
  41. M

    Electromagnet Design for Separating Ferrous Material from an Ore Mixture

    Good day I've been the task of designing an electromagnet to remove ferrous material from ore mixture. I've calculated the flux density require to remove the particle from underneath a burden depth of 400mm; which is 792.7177 Gauss. (Force index is: 1.5710*10^6 G^2/m) However what I've been...
  42. W

    Which Non-Magnetic Material is Best for a Magnet Case?

    Hi... I'm making a "magnet case" for very strong magnets. I'm wondering about what non-magnetic material to use that will allow the MOST amount of magnetism to flow through? My obvious choices are stainless steel, aluminum, Lexan, or wood---- which of these non-magnetic materials will be the...
  43. R

    Relationship between material resistance and temperature

    For the material used in a heater plate to generate heat for example, for a given amount of power (say 4.5 kw) does the higher resistance of the material mean it will produce a higher temperature? Or is it the other way around?
  44. Fig Neutron

    B What makes a material an insulator?

    (This is a two part question.) Ok, so I have been trying to find what property of a material determines if it is a good conductor or not. I'm hoping to go beyond just if it can conduct electricity or not. One of the explanations I have found is the length of the band gap. Is this right or...
  45. M

    Is there a material or an element that can repel hydrogen?

    I’m working on an idea that I have, and I was wondering if there was something that could repel hydrogen. Not water, not oxygen, just hydrogen. Thanks!
  46. A

    I have a material that conducts heat very rapidly

    I tested it by heating it up for 2 min on a electric stove and pour about 200 to 300 ml water in bowl and did a very quick dip in and out like that and when i touch it, it was cold same temperature as the water. I also test with aluminium but when I touch it, it was will hot I burnt my finger...
  47. Y

    Automotive What limits the max power rating of a V-Belt drive?

    We know that belt drives are limited in their max possible power rating and most high power/torque applications(trucks) use gear drives. I wanted to know the main factor that limits the power/torque rating of belts. Is it Frictional slip or Belt material? If the frictional slip could be...
  48. W

    Abbreviation on material properties help -- what is h_ET, h_h, vP, V epspkt?

    material A: E-modul:2000 yield stress:50MPa h_ET:99 h_h:200 vP:20 V epspkt:0.99 parameter used for material characteristic curve n building of material model - (linear elastic, elastic plastic and viscoplastic model) can someone explain to me what is h_ET, h_h, vP, V epspkt?
  49. N

    Indentation Test: How can you tell if the material yielded?

    Homework Statement I am modeling a 2D indentation test of pure Aluminum in ANSYS using non-linear analysis. The objective is to determine the minimum force required at the rigid indenter in order to achieve yielding of the Aluminum block. The indenter is 2 micrometers in width and is rigid...
  50. W

    Expected value of Poison's ratio for a material

    Hello all Currently struggle with a question from one of my assignments concerning poisons ratio . The notes given to me are vague and before i start trundling through the internet i was wondering if anyone could explain it ?
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