It is a science that deals with the association among the structure and the properties of the materials.

Properties of materials:

Properties of the materials are divided in to six categories. They are

• Decorative
• Electrical
• Magnetic
• Mechanical
• Optical
• Thermal

Every material possesses a structure, relevant properties. They depend upon the giving out and govern the performance.

Normal materials possess strength which is limited to ductility.

During that condition reasonable compromise among the two or more properties are essential.

During provision process second selection consideration is any way of material properties.

Classification of the materials:

Based upon the structure and the atomic bonds the engineering materials are divided. They are

• Metal
• Non metals
• Due to combination of the materials

Metals:

Metals are further classified into two types they are

1. Ferrous
2. non-ferrous

Ferrous:

Ferrous are alloys or metals, which contain a high amount of iron elements. These are very strong materials, used for the application where high strength is required and at low cost. Ferrous metals are used in the large buildings, locomotives, bridge buildings and railway lines.

Ferrous are divided in to two types they are:

1. Steels
2. Cast irons

Steels:

Steels are divided in to two types they are:

• Alloy steels
• Plain Carbon steel

Cast iron:

Cast iron is divided in to four types they are:

• Gray cast iron
• White cast iron
• Malleable cast iron
• Ductile cast iron

Non – ferrous:

Non – ferrous metals are pure metals which are rarely used as structural materials, and they lack mechanical strength. The non – ferrous metals are used where their special properties such as electrical conductivity, resistance and thermal conductivity are required. Aluminum and copper are used as electrical conductors, along with sheet lead and sheet zinc that are used as roofing materials.

Non – ferrous metals are divided in to several types they are

1. Aluminum
2. Cu
3. Mg
4. W
5. Zinc
6. Lead
7. Nickel

Non – metals:

Nonmetals are divided in to two types they are

• Ceramics
• Organic polymers

Combination of the materials

1. Composite
2. alloys

Composites

1. Ceramic polymers
2. Polymer cement concert
3. Carbon reinforced
4. Metal ceramic
5. Metal reinforced metal
6. Whisker reinforced metal

Alloys:

Alloys are divided in to two type’s they are

1. Non-ferrous alloys
2. Ferrous alloys