MEPX
Chapter 4 of 10All chapters
  1. 1Describing a material
  2. 2Structure decides behaviour
  3. 3Metals
  4. 4Ceramics and polymers
  5. 5Composites
  6. 6How materials fail
  7. 7Processing changes properties
  8. 8Choosing a material
  9. 9Modern materials
  10. 10Materials and sustainability

Chapter 4 of 10

Ceramics and polymers

The other two families.

Ceramics

Hard, stiff, heat resistant and brittle, because their bonds do not allow layers to slide. Excellent in compression and unreliable in tension, which is why bricks are stacked and not stretched.

  • Concrete, glass, porcelain and engine components are all ceramics.
  • A tiny surface flaw concentrates stress and starts a crack.

Polymers

Long molecular chains, light and easily shaped. Thermoplastics soften on heating and can be reshaped; thermosets set permanently. Most creep slowly under sustained load.