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27.8: Summary

  • Page ID
    32811
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    Many articles can be analysed using the relatively simple techniques described here. This can help with determining the types of material used for different components, their composition, and also processing history. The examination of an article can start to put into use the methods and theory of materials science. Looking at the mechanical, thermal and aesthetic properties of materials can help materials scientists design similar items.

    The range of techniques available today is very large, but often a reasonable amount of understanding can be gained from fairly simple techniques and using some common sense. It is essential not to forget the importance of stepping back from results and considering whether or not they are logical; do they fulfil the requirements in terms of mechanical, thermal, aesthetic and economic properties?

    Going further

    Websites

    Material Selection and Processing
    Information on selection, design and processing
    Identifying Metals
    Some simple ways to identify metals
    How to Identify Plastics
    Plastic Materials Identification Chart
    Some simple ways to identify polymers
    Introduction to Deformation Processes
    This TLP covers the fundamentals of metal forming processes
    Differential Scanning Calorimetry
    Macrogalleria's explanation of using DSC for sudying thermal transitions of polymers
    Plastipedia
    "Probably" the Web's largest plastics encyclopedia, including plastics processes
    MetPrep Support
    Metallography advice, including sample preparation methods and choice of standard etchants

    This page titled 27.8: Summary is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Dissemination of IT for the Promotion of Materials Science (DoITPoMS) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform; a detailed edit history is available upon request.

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