10 Examples of Materials and their properties - encyclopedia

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Properties
Examples of materials and their properties

The materials are substancesnatural or artificial) that are used to build other things. Each industry use specific materials. For example, for the construction industry they are used as materials to metals, cements and ceramics, among others, while in the textile industry cotton, wool and synthetic products are used.

Each material is distinguished from the others by its properties. Depending on the context in which you study a material or other materials with which you want to compare it, the properties that will be most relevant are different.

For example, if we want to know why oil forms a layer on the surface of water, we will be interested in two properties: solubility Y density. Other properties such as toughness, color, odor or conduction of electricity will be less important.

See: Soft, smooth, rough, solid and waterproof materials

Properties

The properties can be:

Density: The amount of dough in a given volume
Physical state: Can be solid, liquid or gaseous.
Organoleptic properties: Color, smell, taste
Boiling point: The maximum temperature a substance can reach in a liquid state. Above that temperature it becomes a gaseous state.
Melting point: The maximum temperature at which a substance is in a solid state. Above that temperature it becomes a liquid state.
Solubility: The ability of one substance to dissolve in another
Hardness: The resistance of a material to perforations.
Electric conductivity: The ability of a material to conduct electricity.
Flexibility: The ability of a material to bend without breaking. Its opposite is stiffness.
Opacity: The ability to prevent the passage of light. Its opposite is translucency.

Examples of materials and their properties

Oak wood: Hard and heavy wood, because its density is between 0.760 and 0.991 kg / m3. Due to its chemical characteristics, it is very resistant to rot. Due to its organoleptic conditions (aroma) it is used for wine barrels, transferring its characteristics to the final product.
Glass: It is a hard material (it is very difficult to pierce or scratch), with a very high melting temperature (1723 degrees) so it is not affected by changes in temperature. That is why it can be used in various industries, from construction (windows) to tableware. Pigments can be added to glass that change its color (organoleptic properties) and layers that make it opaque, preventing the passage of light. It is relatively insulating from noise, temperature, and has low electrical conductivity.
Fiberglass: Artificial material produced from silicon dioxide filaments. It's a good thermal insulator, but it is not resistant to chemicals. It is also a good acoustic and electrical insulator. Due to its flexibility it is used in tent structures, high resistance fabrics, pole vault poles.
Aluminum: In thin layers, it is a metal not only flexible but also soft, that is, it is extremely malleable. In thick layers it becomes stiff. This is why aluminum can be used in flexible packaging (even so-called “aluminum foil”) but also in large rigid structures of all sizes, from food cans to airplanes.
Cement: Mixture of calcined and ground limestone and clay. It hardens on contact with water. It is resistant to chemicals and high temperatures. However, its resistance decreases over time because its porosity increases.
Gold: It is a soft and heavy metal. Due to its high resistance to corrosion, it is used in industry and electronics. It is known for its organoleptic characteristics (its brightness and color) for which it is even confused with other metals of lower economic value. It has a density of 19,300 kg / m3. Its melting point is 1,064 degrees.
Cotton fiber: It is one of the materials used in the textile industry. Its color ranges from white to yellowish white. The diameter of the fiber is very small, between 15 and 25 micrometers, which makes it very soft to the touch, which is why it is highly appreciated in the industry.
Lycra or elastane: It is a polyurethane fabric. Has great elasticity, being able to be stretched up to 5 times its size without breaking. Plus, it quickly returns to its original shape. It does not retain water between the fibers of its fabrics, so it dries quickly.
PET (polyethylene terephthalate): It is a thermoplastic of high rigidity, hardness and resistance. It is very resistant to chemical and atmospheric agents (heat, humidity) so it is used in beverage, juice and medicine containers.
Porcelain: It is a ceramic material that is characterized by being compact and translucent, in which it differs from all other ceramics. It is rigid but fragile and of low elasticity. However, it is very resistant to chemicals and high temperatures.