Materials

Materials can be classified into several categories based on their properties and uses. Here are the main types:

1. Metals

• Ferrous Metals (contain iron): Steel, Cast Iron, Wrought Iron
• Non-Ferrous Metals (do not contain iron): Aluminum, Copper, Brass, Bronze, Titanium

2. Polymers (Plastics & Rubber)

• Thermoplastics (can be melted and reshaped): Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), PVC, ABS
• Thermosetting Plastics (cannot be remelted): Epoxy, Bakelite, Melamine
• Elastomers (Rubber-like materials): Natural Rubber, Neoprene, Silicone

3. Ceramics

• Traditional Ceramics: Clay, Porcelain, Glass, Brick
• Advanced Ceramics: Silicon Carbide (SiC), Alumina (Al?O?), Zirconia (ZrO?)

4. Composites (Combination of two or more materials)

• Fiber-Reinforced Composites: Carbon Fiber, Fiberglass
• Particle-Reinforced Composites: Concrete, Metal Matrix Composites
• Laminar Composites: Plywood, Laminates

5. Natural Materials

• Organic: Wood, Cotton, Leather, Wool
• Mineral-Based: Stone, Sand, Clay

6. Smart Materials (Respond to environmental changes)

• Shape Memory Alloys (SMA)
• Piezoelectric Materials
• Thermochromic and Photochromic Materials