10 Materials Selection and Design Free Online FlashCards

What is materials selection?

Materials selection matches a material and its processing and shaping methods to an engineering function while balancing performance, cost, manufacturing, safety, and service life.

How do function, constraints, and objectives differ?

Function describes the component’s job; constraints are mandatory requirements; objectives are qualities to improve, such as minimizing mass or cost.

What are the common stages of material selection?

A common sequence is translation, screening, ranking, and checking detailed information about leading candidates.

How can bonding and crystal structure affect material properties?

Bonding and crystal structure influence properties such as stiffness, ductility, thermal expansion, and electrical conductivity.

How does processing affect a material’s mechanical behavior?

Processing changes microstructure, including grain size, phases, defects, and orientation, which can alter mechanical behavior.

What do phase diagrams help predict?

They help predict which phases can form at particular temperatures and compositions.

What are common strengths and considerations of metals?

Metals are often ductile, tough, and readily formed or joined, but their density, corrosion behavior, and high-temperature performance vary by alloy and treatment.

What are common strengths and limitations of ceramics?

Ceramics often have high hardness, wear resistance, and temperature capability, but can be vulnerable to brittle fracture and difficult to machine or join.

What can limit the performance of polymers?

Polymers are often lightweight and easy to shape, but temperature, time, or chemical exposure can limit their stiffness, strength, and dimensional stability.

What is a key design consideration for composites?

Composites combine materials, such as strong fibers in a polymer matrix, to tailor performance. Their properties can depend on direction, and fabrication, inspection, repair, and joining need consideration.

What is screening in materials selection?

Screening eliminates materials that fail a non-negotiable constraint, such as a required service temperature or environmental condition.

What index can compare tensile ties designed for minimum mass?

For a tensile tie carrying a specified load with minimum mass, specific strength is $M = \frac{\sigma_f}{\rho}$. A larger value can indicate a more mass-efficient choice if all constraints are met.