CES SOFTWARE GUIDEMATERIAL SCIENCE ENGINEERING
M A T E R I A L   S C I E N C E  &  E N G I N E E R I N G      

Background
Material Classes

Material Structure

Physical Properties

Mechanical

Electrical

Thermal


Optical

Material Selection

Material Processing

Example Case Studies

Physical Properties

When we think about properties that material's have we typically think about:
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Electrical Properties
  • Thermal Properties
  • Optical Properties

These properties are evaluated properties that are found by testing and observation. There are many methods to evaluate a material properties. The name of the evaluated property relates to the methods of testing. For example: electrical properties can be determined by the application of voltage or current (i.e. electricity) to the material tested. For a more in-depth look into each specific evaluated properties, check out the links on the left under "Physical Properties".

What do these evaluated properties result from?

They result from the material's physical properties as a whole:  materials structure, components, and bonding. All materials have either an organized (crystalline) structure or a random (amorphous) structure. The structure is made up of elements and element combinations (molecules). Elements are defined by their atomic properties. So the core properties that a material has directly result from the atoms that form it (i.e. the protons and electrons).

Copyright © 2006 CES Information Guide - Materials Science Engineering