What is material science?

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Material science and engineering plays most important and vital role in this modern age of technology. It is basically the integration of natural sciences [physics, chemistry and biology] along with technical approaches. It helps in facing challenges by integrating education and research with versatility, breadth and perspective. So, Materials engineering covers detailed study of all materials, by investigating the relationship between basic structures and the properties of materials.

More elaborately, materials engineering revolves around the study of following factors:

• Structures of Materials

The basic structure of materials refers to the arrangement of internal components of materials. The structures are divided into four categories – subatomic, atomic, microscopic and macroscopic.

• Properties Of Materials

 Properties of materials describe the response of materials on exposition to some external factors, such as mechanical, electrical, etc.  Material properties depend upon the composition of materials as well as upon the microscopic structure of the material. Properties of materials have already been discussed here: Properties of materials

• Molecular Or Atomic Motion

 I.e. Study of interaction or motion between the atoms or molecules within the material.

• Manufacturing Processes:

 Generally, the materials are considered as of two types, naturally occurred materials and the men made materials. Manufacturing processes refers to the processes which are used to manufacture the materials by manipulating the properties of materials. These processes vary from one material type to another, as well depends upon the operating conditions of the process.

• Mechanisms Of Degradation Of Materials:

Degradation of materials is the most important factor covered under materials engineering education. Degradation simply means the failure of a material. In order to prevent the failure of materials, it is necessary to study about the mechanisms of degradation of materials. Some of the common materials degradation factors are corrosion, abrasion, tribology, etc.

Materials sciences and engineering is a broad discipline of engineering and works with the collaboration of other disciplines of engineering [such as electrical, mechanical, chemical, biomedical, etc.] for better performance and reliability of the product. So, the basic goal of a materials engineer is not only study, design and modify the materials for the process design, but also to apply their experience and knowledge towards product design and optimization.

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