You're an electronic engineering professional. How can you choose the best materials for your next project?

Selecting the optimal materials for an electronic engineering project involves a comprehensive approach. Start by identifying the specific project requirements and considering factors such as conductivity, thermal resistance, and durability. Leverage material databases and advanced simulation tools for in-depth analysis and comparison. Stay informed on the latest advancements in materials science, particularly focusing on eco-friendly and sustainable options. Collaborate with suppliers to ensure a reliable source of materials, and consider the life cycle implications of your choices.

When choosing materials for a project involving electronic engineering, electrical, thermal, and mechanical qualities must be taken into account. Consider aspects like as durability, insulation, and conductivity. Work together with suppliers, carry out exhaustive testing, and take cost-effectiveness into account. Give materials that meet project specifications priority in order to ensure best performance and dependability.

To select materials, I would prioritise properties like conductivity, thermal stability, and mechanical strength. Besides, it's important to consider factors such as cost, availability, and manufacturability. Use material databases, testing, and supplier collaboration to ensure optimal choices. Prioritise reliability and performance over initial cost.

To choose materials for an electronic engineering project: Define project requirements, considering functionality, environment, and lifespan. Research materials, understanding their electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Assess electrical properties like conductivity and resistivity, ensuring they meet project needs. Evaluate mechanical properties such as strength, elasticity, and durability for physical demands. Consider thermal properties like conductivity and resistance to ensure efficient heat dissipation. Ensure compatibility with other materials to prevent issues like corrosion and expansion mismatches. Evaluate resistance to environmental factors like humidity, chemicals, and UV exposure.

In the Tecnical specification usually is defined the safety class or industrial class of the electrical equipment and the corresponding applicable standards. The selected manufacturer must prove, that his product satisfies the standard requirements and all other requirements of TS for seismically, technical, environmental, maintenance, reliability (for example time between failure, time to repair ), etc. properties and for the material properties of the electrical component.

Use the platforms like DigiKey, Arrow etc to compare the parts to be used for your design. Materials play a key role depending on your application. Ex- Aerospace & defence applications requires the ultimate care while you select the components with right material.

In my experience, availability consideration is a significant factor when selecting parts for new projects. While it is very helpful to find components from major suppliers like DigiKey, Mouser, Farnell, etc., they often have many parts with low stock or a long lead time. Therefore, considering alternative parts and checking availability with different suppliers is crucial for the long-term maintenance of this electronic system.