Fields
Materials Engineering
Also Known As Materials Science and Engineering
Citation Formats
General Reference
APA Style
BibTeX
Materials engineering studies the relationship between a material internal structure, from its atomic bonding and crystal structure up to its microstructure, and its resulting properties, then applies that understanding to select, process and design materials, metals, ceramics, polymers and composites, for specific engineering purposes. It draws on chemistry, physics and mechanical engineering, and underlies advances from stronger steels and aerospace alloys to semiconductors, ceramics and modern composite materials such as carbon fiber and Kevlar.
Facts
Core ConcernThe relationship between a material structure, processing and properties, and the engineering selection and design of metals, ceramics, polymers and composites. 1 Core PrincipleMaterials engineering is organized around a single chain of causation: how a material is processed determines its internal structure, that structure determines its properties, and those properties in turn control how the material performs in service. 2 Disputed
Origin YearNorthwestern University created one of the first departments explicitly named materials science and engineering in the late 1950s, as metallurgy departments broadened their scope during a period of expanded research funding. Cross-Tradition Connections
Associated With
Reactor design depends on radiation-resistant structural and shielding materials, a materials engineering concern.
Includes
Sources
1. Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica editors, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
2. Materials Science (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationIntroduction sectionQuote, Introduction section
Processing determines structure, structure determines properties, and properties ultimately control the performance of a material in service.
2. Materials Science (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationLead section, opening definition of materials engineeringQuote, Lead section, opening definition of materials engineering
Materials science is an interdisciplinary field concerned with understanding the relationships between the structure of materials and their properties and using this knowledge to design materials for specific applications.
Stephanie Kwolek (Britannica)
Includes: Stephanie Kwolek
American Nuclear Society, About (ans.org)
American Nuclear Society, American Nuclear SocietyAssociated With: Nuclear EngineeringView the Source Lithium Cobalt Oxide (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationIncludes: Lithium Cobalt OxideView the Source Invar (Wikipedia)
Nickel (Royal Society of Chemistry Periodic Table)
Reader Challenges (0 open reader challenges)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.
View At A Past Year
The atlas records no dated fact of its own for this entry, so there is no other year to choose.