ABSTRACT
Materials have evolved with mankind since the dawn of civilization. Stone followed by bronze and then iron marked the main materials that shaped the early ages of civilization. The number of materials in the service of man has increased slowly over the years. It has been reported that there are more than 40,000 currently useful metallic alloys and probably close to that number of nonmetallic engineering materials, such as plastics, ceramics, composite materials, and semiconductors and advanced materials. One of the distinguishing features of modern industry is the extensive use of this expanding range of materials, many of which are usually combined to make the final product. As an example, consider the case of an average motor car where almost all types of engineering materials are used in its manufacture. For example, steel is used for the body; aluminum for the engine; copper for the wiring; lead for the battery; chromium and nickel as alloying elements for the exhaust system; platinum, palladium, and rhodium in the catalytic converter; ceramics for the spark plugs; glass for the windscreen; plastics for body interior panels and headlamps; natural and synthetic rubber for tires and timing belts; and composite materials for bumpers. Materials are generally based on the gaseous, liquid, and solid elements found in nature, and Table P.1 gives the physical and chemical data for such elements.
