Materials Cheat-Sheet

Original data taken from Engineering Materials 1 and expanded with Claude.

• Metals and alloys
  • Iron and steels
  • Aluminum and alloys
  • Copper and alloys
  • Nickel and alloys
  • Titanium and alloys
• Polymers
  • Polyethylene (PE)
  • Polymethylmethacrylate (acrylic and PMMA)
  • Nylon or polyamide (PA)
  • Polystyrene (PS)
  • Polyurethane (PU)
  • Polyvinylchloride (PVC)
  • Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
  • Polyethylether ketone (PEEK)
  • Epoxies (EP)
  • Elastomers, such as natural rubber (NR)
• Ceramics and glasses
  • Alumina (Al2O3, emery, sapphire)
  • Magnesia (MgO)
  • Silica (SiO2) glasses and silicates
  • Silicon carbide (SiC)
  • Silicon nitride (Si3N4)
  • Cement and concrete
• Composites
  • Fiberglass (GFRP)
  • Carbon-fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP)
  • Kevlar-fiber reinforced polymers (KFRP)
  • Filled polymers
  • Cermets
• Natural materials
  • Wood
  • Leather
  • Cotton/wool/silk
  • Bone
  • Rock/stone/chalk
  • Flint/sand/aggregate

Metals and Alloys

Iron and Steels

• Chemical composition: Base is Fe (iron) with C (carbon) content determining type:
  • Cast iron: 2.1-4% C, brittle but excellent for casting
  • Carbon steel: 0.05-2.1% C, balance between strength and ductility
  • Stainless steel: Min 10.5% Cr for corrosion resistance, often includes Ni and Mo
• Common alloying elements and their effects:
  • Chromium (Cr): Corrosion resistance, hardenability
  • Nickel (Ni): Ductility, toughness, corrosion resistance
  • Molybdenum (Mo): Strength at high temperatures, corrosion resistance
  • Manganese (Mn): Hardenability, deoxidation
• Product examples:
  • Cast iron: Engine blocks, cookware, pipes
  • Carbon steel: Construction beams (A36), tools, automotive parts
  • Stainless steel: 304 (kitchen equipment), 316L (marine applications), 420 (knives)

Aluminum and Alloys

• Chemical composition: Base Al with various alloying elements
• Major alloy series:
  • 1xxx: Pure Al (99%+), excellent corrosion resistance
  • 2xxx: Al-Cu alloys, high strength (aircraft grade)
  • 3xxx: Al-Mn alloys, good formability
  • 5xxx: Al-Mg alloys, marine grade
  • 6xxx: Al-Mg-Si alloys, good extrudability
  • 7xxx: Al-Zn alloys, highest strength
• Product examples:
  • 2024: Aircraft structures
  • 6061: General purpose structural (bikes, boats)
  • 5052: Marine applications
  • 3003: Food packaging

Copper and Alloys

• Major alloy types:
  • Brass (Cu-Zn): 5-45% Zn
  • Bronze (Cu-Sn): typically 12% Sn
  • Beryllium copper: 2% Be, highest strength copper alloy
• Properties:
  • Excellent electrical conductivity (pure Cu)
  • Superior thermal conductivity
  • Good corrosion resistance
  • Antimicrobial properties
• Product examples:
  • Pure copper: Electrical wiring, plumbing tubes
  • Brass: Musical instruments, decorative hardware
  • Bronze: Bearings, sculptures
  • Beryllium copper: Springs, non-sparking tools

Nickel and Alloys

• Major types:
  • Pure nickel: Excellent corrosion resistance
  • Monel (Ni-Cu): Superior seawater resistance
  • Inconel (Ni-Cr-Fe): High-temperature strength
  • Nichrome (Ni-Cr): Heating elements
• Key properties:
  • High-temperature strength
  • Excellent corrosion resistance
  • Good mechanical properties
• Product examples:
  • Inconel 718: Jet engines, gas turbines
  • Monel 400: Chemical processing equipment
  • Nichrome: Electric heaters
  • Pure nickel: Electronics plating

Titanium and Alloys

• Major alloy types:
  • Pure Ti (Grade 1-4): Varying oxygen content
  • Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5): Most common alloy
  • Ti-3Al-2.5V: For seamless tubing
• Properties:
  • Highest strength-to-weight ratio
  • Excellent corrosion resistance
  • Biocompatibility
  • High cost
• Product examples:
  • Pure Ti: Medical implants, chemical processing
  • Ti-6Al-4V: Aerospace components, sports equipment
  • Ti-3Al-2.5V: Bicycle frames, hydraulic tubing
  • Beta titanium: Springs, orthopedic implants

Polymers

Polyethylene (PE)

• Chemistry: (-CH2-CH2-)n, made from ethylene monomer
• Types by density:
  • LDPE (Low Density): Highly branched chains, 0.91-0.94 g/cm³
  • HDPE (High Density): Linear chains, 0.94-0.97 g/cm³
  • UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight): Extremely long chains
• Properties:
  • Chemical resistance
  • Moisture barrier
  • Flexible to rigid depending on type
• Products:
  • LDPE: Food wrap, plastic bags
  • HDPE: Milk jugs, pipes
  • UHMWPE: Artificial joints, bulletproof vests

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)

• Chemistry: [-CH2-C(CH3)(COOCH3)-]n
• Properties:
  • Outstanding optical clarity (92% light transmission)
  • UV resistant
  • Scratch resistant compared to other plastics
  • Brittle but high impact versions available
• Products:
  • Aircraft windows
  • LED light guides
  • Dentures
  • Display stands
  • Contact lenses

Nylon/Polyamide (PA)

• Chemistry: Contains amide groups (-CO-NH-)
• Common types:
  • PA 6: Made from caprolactam
  • PA 66: Made from hexamethylenediamine and adipic acid
• Properties:
  • High tensile strength
  • Good abrasion resistance
  • Low friction coefficient
  • Moisture sensitive
• Products:
  • Clothing fibers
  • Gears and bearings
  • Fishing line
  • Rope
  • Cable ties

Polystyrene (PS)

• Chemistry: (-CH2-CH(C6H5)-)n
• Types:
  • General Purpose PS (GPPS): Clear, brittle
  • High Impact PS (HIPS): Modified with rubber
  • Expanded PS (EPS): Foam structure
• Properties:
  • Rigid
  • Good electrical insulation
  • Poor chemical resistance
• Products:
  • Food packaging
  • Disposable cutlery
  • CD cases
  • Insulation foam

Polyurethane (PU)

• Chemistry: Contains urethane links (-NH-CO-O-)
• Types:
  • Flexible foams
  • Rigid foams
  • Elastomers
  • Coatings
• Properties:
  • Versatile mechanical properties
  • Good abrasion resistance
  • Weather resistant
• Products:
  • Foam mattresses
  • Car seats
  • Shoe soles
  • Building insulation
  • Coatings and varnishes

Polyvinylchloride (PVC)

• Chemistry: (-CH2-CHCl-)n
• Types:
  • Rigid PVC (uPVC)
  • Flexible PVC (with plasticizers)
• Properties:
  • Fire resistant
  • Chemical resistant
  • Weather resistant
  • Good electrical insulation
• Products:
  • Pipes and fittings
  • Window frames
  • Wire insulation
  • Medical tubing
  • Credit cards

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

• Chemistry: (-O-CO-C6H4-CO-O-CH2-CH2-)n
• Properties:
  • High strength
  • Excellent barrier properties
  • Good chemical resistance
  • Recyclable
• Products:
  • Beverage bottles
  • Food containers
  • Polyester fibers
  • Strapping tape
  • Film for packaging

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK)

• Chemistry: Contains aromatic rings linked by ether and ketone groups
• Properties:
  • Very high temperature resistance (up to 260°C)
  • Excellent chemical resistance
  • High strength and stiffness
  • Biocompatible
• Products:
  • Aircraft components
  • Medical implants
  • High-performance bearings
  • Semiconductor equipment

Epoxies (EP)

• Chemistry: Contains epoxide groups, typically cured with amines
• Types:
  • Two-part systems
  • One-part heat-cured systems
• Properties:
  • Excellent adhesion
  • High strength
  • Chemical resistant
  • Low shrinkage
• Products:
  • Adhesives
  • Coatings
  • Circuit board substrates
  • Composite matrices

Elastomers/Natural Rubber (NR)

• Chemistry: Polyisoprene (C5H8)n
• Types:
  • Natural rubber
  • Synthetic rubbers (SBR, NBR, EPDM)
• Properties:
  • High elasticity
  • Good tear resistance
  • Abrasion resistant
  • Temperature sensitive
• Products:
  • Tires
  • Seals and gaskets
  • Elastic bands
  • Shoe soles
  • Gloves

Ceramics and Glasses

Alumina (Al2O3)

• Crystal structure:
  • Hexagonal close-packed oxygen ions with Al³⁺ in octahedral sites
  • Multiple phases (α, γ, θ) with α being most stable
• Forms:
  • Corundum: Natural crystalline form
  • Sapphire: Single crystal (blue with Ti/Fe impurities)
  • Ruby: Red variety with Cr impurities
• Properties:
  • High hardness (9 on Mohs scale)
  • High temperature resistance (melting point 2072°C)
  • Excellent electrical insulation
  • Chemical inertness
• Products:
  • Abrasives and cutting tools
  • Semiconductor substrates
  • Watch crystals
  • High-temperature crucibles
  • Spark plug insulators

Magnesia (MgO)

• Chemistry:
  • Ionic compound with cubic crystal structure
  • Produced by calcining magnesite (MgCO3)
• Properties:
  • High refractoriness (melting point 2852°C)
  • Basic oxide character
  • Good thermal conductivity
  • Electrical insulation
• Applications:
  • Refractory furnace linings
  • Electrical insulators
  • Cement additives
  • Animal feed supplement
  • Antacid medications

Silica (SiO2) Glasses and Silicates

• Forms:
  • Crystalline: Quartz, cristobalite, tridymite
  • Amorphous: Various glasses
• Glass types:
  • Soda-lime glass (72% SiO2, Na2O, CaO)
  • Borosilicate glass (80% SiO2, B2O3)
  • Fused silica (100% SiO2)
• Properties:
  • Transparent to visible light
  • Chemical durability
  • Thermal shock resistance (varies by type)
  • Electrical insulation
• Products:
  • Windows and containers
  • Laboratory glassware
  • Optical fibers
  • Telescope mirrors
  • Electronic substrates

Silicon Carbide (SiC)

• Structure:
  • Many polytypes (3C, 4H, 6H most common)
  • Strong covalent bonding
• Properties:
  • Extreme hardness (9.5 Mohs)
  • High thermal conductivity
  • Low thermal expansion
  • Semiconductor behavior
• Applications:
  • Abrasives and cutting tools
  • High-temperature bearings
  • Power electronics
  • Armor materials
  • Heating elements

Silicon Nitride (Si3N4)

• Structure:
  • Two main crystalline forms (α and β)
  • Complex 3D network of SiN4 tetrahedra
• Properties:
  • High strength and toughness
  • Low thermal expansion
  • Good thermal shock resistance
  • Excellent wear resistance
• Applications:
  • Cutting tools
  • Engine components
  • Bearings
  • Turbocharger rotors
  • Metal forming dies

Cement and Concrete

• Chemistry:
  • Portland cement: Ca silicates and aluminates
  • Complex hydration reactions during setting
• Types:
  • Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)
  • Rapid-hardening cement
  • Sulfate-resistant cement
  • White cement
• Properties:
  • High compressive strength
  • Low tensile strength
  • Durability
  • Fire resistance
• Applications:
  • Building foundations
  • Bridges and dams
  • Roads and pavements
  • Precast components
  • Decorative elements

Composites

Fiberglass (GFRP - Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer)

• Structure:
  • Glass fiber reinforcement (E-glass, S-glass, or specialty)
  • Polymer matrix (typically polyester, epoxy, or vinyl ester)
  • Fiber content typically 30-60% by volume
• Properties:
  • Good strength-to-weight ratio
  • Corrosion resistant
  • Electrically insulating
  • Moderate cost
  • Good formability
• Manufacturing methods:
  • Pultrusion
  • Hand lay-up
  • Spray-up
  • Filament winding
  • RTM (Resin Transfer Molding)
• Products:
  • Boat hulls
  • Storage tanks
  • Wind turbine blades
  • Automotive panels
  • Construction panels

Carbon-fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP)

• Fiber types:
  • High strength (HS)
  • High modulus (HM)
  • Ultra-high modulus (UHM)
• Matrix materials:
  • Epoxy (most common)
  • PEEK (high performance)
  • Bismaleimide (high temperature)
• Properties:
  • Exceptional strength-to-weight ratio
  • High stiffness
  • Low thermal expansion
  • Fatigue resistant
  • Expensive
• Applications:
  • Aerospace structures
  • Sports equipment
  • High-end automotive
  • Racing vehicles
  • Industrial robotics

Kevlar-fiber Reinforced Polymers (KFRP)

• Fiber characteristics:
  • Para-aramid fibers
  • High tensile strength
  • Low density
  • Excellent impact resistance
• Properties:
  • Superior impact resistance
  • Good vibration damping
  • High tensile strength
  • Low compressive strength
  • UV sensitive
• Applications:
  • Ballistic protection
  • Motorcycle clothing
  • Sports equipment
  • Aircraft components
  • Marine cordage

Filled Polymers

• Common fillers:
  • Mineral fillers (calcium carbonate, talc)
  • Carbon black
  • Glass beads
  • Wood flour
  • Nanofillers (clay, carbon nanotubes)
• Benefits:
  • Cost reduction
  • Improved mechanical properties
  • Better dimensional stability
  • Enhanced flame retardancy
  • Modified electrical properties
• Applications:
  • Automotive parts
  • Construction materials
  • Electronic housings
  • Consumer products
  • Industrial components

Cermets

• Structure:
  • Ceramic particles in metal matrix
  • Common combinations:
  • WC-Co (tungsten carbide-cobalt)
  • TiC-Ni (titanium carbide-nickel)
  • Al2O3-Al (alumina-aluminum)
• Properties:
  • High hardness
  • Good toughness
  • Wear resistance
  • Temperature resistance
  • Chemical stability
• Applications:
  • Cutting tools
  • Mining equipment
  • Metal forming dies
  • Wear components
  • Aerospace parts

Natural Materials

Wood

• Structure:
  • Cellulose fibers (40-50%)
  • Hemicellulose (25-35%)
  • Lignin (20-35%)
  • Growth rings and grain patterns
• Types:
  • Hardwoods (oak, maple, walnut)
  • Softwoods (pine, cedar, spruce)
  • Engineered wood (plywood, MDF, OSB)
• Properties:
  • Anisotropic strength
  • Good strength-to-weight ratio
  • Natural thermal insulation
  • Hygroscopic (moisture-sensitive)
  • Biodegradable
• Applications:
  • Construction
  • Furniture
  • Paper products
  • Fuel
  • Decorative items

Leather

• Structure:
  • Collagen fiber network
  • Three layers: grain, corium, flesh
• Processing:
  • Tanning (chrome, vegetable, synthetic)
  • Dying and finishing
  • Surface treatments
• Properties:
  • High tensile strength
  • Good abrasion resistance
  • Breathable
  • Ages aesthetically
  • Moldable
• Applications:
  • Footwear
  • Clothing
  • Upholstery
  • Accessories
  • Book binding

Cotton:

• Structure: Cellulose fibers
• Properties:
  • Highly absorbent
  • Comfortable
  • Good tensile strength
  • Biodegradable

Wool:

• Structure: Keratin protein fibers
• Properties:
  • Natural insulation
  • Moisture-wicking
  • Fire-resistant
  • Elastic recovery

Silk:

• Structure: Protein fibroin fibers
• Properties:
  • High tensile strength
  • Smooth texture
  • Good drape
  • Temperature regulating

Bone

• Composition:
  • Hydroxyapatite (mineral phase)
  • Collagen (organic phase)
  • Water
• Structure:
  • Cortical (dense outer layer)
  • Cancellous (porous interior)
• Properties:
  • High compressive strength
  • Good toughness
  • Self-healing capability
  • Anisotropic behavior
• Applications:
  • Medical implants
  • Fertilizer
  • Traditional tools
  • Decorative items

Rock:

• Types:
  • Igneous (granite, basalt)
  • Sedimentary (limestone, sandstone)
  • Metamorphic (marble, slate)
• Properties:
  • High compressive strength
  • Weather resistant
  • Low maintenance
  • Thermal mass

Stone:

• Processing:
  • Cut
  • Polished
  • Split
  • Crushed
• Applications:
  • Building materials
  • Countertops
  • Sculptures
  • Landscaping

Chalk:

• Composition: Calcium carbonate
• Properties:
  • Soft
  • Porous
  • Water-soluble
  • Good marking ability

Flint:

• Composition: Cryptocrystalline silica
• Properties:
  • Very hard
  • Conchoidal fracture
  • Sharp edges when broken
  • Fire starting capability

Sand:

• Types:
  • Silica sand
  • Mineral sands
  • Beach sand
• Applications:
  • Construction
  • Glass making
  • Foundry casting
  • Filtration

Aggregate:

• Types:
  • Crushed stone
  • Gravel
  • Recycled concrete
• Applications:
  • Concrete
  • Road base
  • Drainage
  • Landscaping