Materials Engineering - Essay Example

Ferrous metals are those metals that contain iron as a considerable constituent in it whilst non ferrous metals are free from iron metal. Ferrous metals are magnetic in nature therefore these are used in different applications that involved the usage of electro magnets. Iron is usually present in diverse ores structure. Therefore the ore is treated to yield iron metal and normally it is done by melting the ore in a blast furnace. Non Ferrous metals include a long list of metals some of these metals are copper, aluminum and lead etc.

Copper metal is widely used in electrical wires due to its high conductivity for electric current. Copper is generally really very soft and can be drawn into wire easily. Aluminum is also a metal which is relatively similar to copper in its properties because it is also very soft and malleable just like copper, mainly aluminum is utilized in aluminum sheets and foils. Unlike iron aluminum has a lower melting point of 659 degree centigrade while that of iron is about 1530 degree centigrade. Aluminum can be easily manipulated through machining, casting, drawing and extrusion.

Lead is a special type of heavy metal; it is a bluish-white metal that has insufficient conductivity of electrical charges when evaluated against the majority of other metals. But due to lead’s ductility, malleability and softness it is mixed with other metals to make them ready for machining operations. Polymers are also recognized as macro molecules which are composed of recurring molecular structures. Polymers are based on very long plastic ranges. Polymers cover different mechanical properties that include extensive levels of strength, toughness and hardness.

There are mainly three types of polymers, these are thermoplastics, thermosetting and fiber reinforced plastics (FRPs). FRPs are also replacing some metals in various applications for better. Since FRPs are of high strength, durability and furthermore these are flexible and light weighted therefore the rear and front body of heavy automobiles like buses are contemporarily replaced by these FRPs in place of a metallic sheet. Ceramic is a substance which is manufactured from inorganic and nonmetallic constituents.

The constituents are subjected by the application of heat and consequent cooling. Ceramics are extraordinarily hardened, thus types of ceramics are used as manipulative tools for example as in the case of grinding wheels. Ceramics have high melting point therefore ceramics are used in furnace linings and other high temperature applications. Ceramics are high heat absorbers therefore these are also used in storage heaters. Ceramic balls are also manufactured to substitute steel in ball bearings.

The higher hardness of ceramics explicates that these are slighter disposed to wear out and can be more durable that steel ball bearings. The distortion phenomenon under load in ceramics is also reasonably small as compare to metals. In greater speed, heat from abrasion during rolling can originate troubles for metal bearings, which can be minimized by ceramics. Ceramics are additionally chemically insolent and can be utilized in wet condition where steel bearings could oxidize. The main shortcomings in ceramics are considerably sophisticated cost and vulnerability to break under shock loads. 1. Test Procedures for Material Properties Material testing procedures are actually governed by American Society for