NATURE OF MATERIALS

- Dictated by bonding of atoms

- Atoms are building blocks of all matters
- Based on the types of bond, we can classify either, metallic, ceramic
or amorphous
CONCEPTS
a. TERMS
1. ATOMS- protons, neutrons, electrons
2. ATOMIC NUMBER (An)- number of protons in the nucleus
3. ATOMIC MASS (Am)- protons + neutrons; neutrons = Am-An
4. ELEMENT – atoms with the same atomic number
Example: Copper, Cesium, Iron, Krypton, proton
5. ISOTOPES – elements with the same number of protons but
different atomic mass
b. ELECTRON CONFIGURATION
​-Describes the manner in which the electrons are located in the
shells and subshells.
​- helps describe type of bonds.
Noble gas- if the subshells are completely filled.
c. BONDING
​- it has something to do with tension and compression
​- the strength of the material can be estimated based on the
strength of the bonds.
​- dictates the crystal structure of the compound
TYPES
1. PRMARY BOND- stronger in nature
​ ​ ​- achieves stable and non- reactive electron
structure similar to noble ​ ​ ​ ​gas
​1.1 IONIC – transfer of electrons (non metallic + metalic)
​ ​- atom giving becomes positively charged, the one
receiving becomes ​ ​ ​negatively charged
​ ​Example: NaCl
1.2 COVALENT – sharing (2 non- metallic)
​- highly durable and strong
​Example: diamons, O2, Portland Cement
1.3 METALLIC – mass sharing of electrons among several
atoms

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 -​ gives high density of structures and high electrical
conductivity of ​metals
​ ​2. SECONDARY – weaker in nature
​ ​ ​- important formation of links between polymers
​ ​ ​- Hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals Force
d. ​MATERIALS CLASSIFICATION BY BOND TYPE
​ ​METALS – repeated pattern of crystalline structure; made with
metallic bond
​ ​ ​Example: Steel (Iron + Carbon), Iron (Fe), Aluminum (Al)
​ ​INORGANIC MATTERS - repeated pattern of crystalline
structure; made with covalent ​ ​ ​ ​and ionic bonds.
​ ​ ​Example: Portland Cement, bricks , glass, aggregate
​ ​ORGANIC – random molecular structure; made with covalent
bond.
​ ​ ​Example: Asphalt, plastic, wood

METTALIC MATERIALS
- Formed by cooling of molten materials
a. LATTICE STRUCTURE
​FCC (Face Center Cubic) – atoms at every corner and on each
face of the cube
​BCC (Body Center Cubic) – every corner and on the center of
the cube
​HCP (Hexagonal Close Pack ) – at corners and center of the top
and bottom of the hexagon, and three ​ ​ ​equidistant
atoms at center

Importance: determines the mechanical behavior of metals

​Elastic Behavior- bonds are stretched and returns to original
position
​Plastic Behavior – permanent distortion of the materials; change
of atomic arrangement of metal
b. LATTICE DEFECTS – affects the strength and modulus of elasticity
1. POINT DEFECTS / MISSING ATOMS – due to vibrating as
they transition from liquid to solid
2. LINE DEFECTS- atoms are not in their natural spacing
3. AREA DEFECTS
4. VOLUME DEFECTS – flaws in manufactured materials
c. GRAIN STRUCTURE- unit cell or repeated crystalline structures

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 SIZE OF GRAIN - depends on the rate of cooling; rapid cooling
produces small grains with extensive ​boundaries
• Reducing grain size increases the strength of strength of the
material
• 2 HEAT TREATMENTS:
1. HARDENING - rapid cooling is achieved by immersing
the material in a liquid.
2. ANNEALING - the material is slowly cooled
• Rapid cooling results in small grains, slow cooling results in
large grains
d. ALLOYS – used to improve the properties of the materials
- Can either fit into voids (interstitial) or substitute to atoms
(substitutional)

e. COMBINED EFFECTS – properties depend on the elemental make

up, reefing and production process of the material

INORGANIC SOLIDS (CERAMICS)

- Materials composed of non-metallic elements (covalent/ionic
bonded materials)
- Have high strength, stiffness and wear resistance, and corrosion
resistance but brittle
- Too low elastic property, lacks tensile strength and must be
reinforced
TYPES:
1. GLASS – based on silica
2. VIRTEOUS CERAMIC – used in pottery
3. HIGH PERFORMANCE CERAMIC
4. CEMENT AND CONCRETE
5. ROCKS AND MINERALS

ORGANIC SOLIDS
- Long molecules (secondary bonded materials) of covalent bonded
carbon atoms
- Chains of carbon and hydrocarbon
TYPES:
1. Thermoplastics – made with petroleum ( asphalt)
2. Thermosets – used as hardener (epoxies)

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 3. Elastomers/ Rubbers –
4. Natural Materials – grown in all plant matter

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