Material science

Bonus Homework MECH 221 Materials Science Due: Friday. Apr. 25th; Place to drop: EV.13.167

This assignment includes aspects of “self-learning”. This is a “soft skill” that all engineers are expected to be able to have as it is commonly required once you are working as an engineer. Problems will come up which require you to find out new information and new skills in order to solve them. Materials have been used in engineering applications for thousands of years. Even now some of these materials are still being used for the similar applications (such as stone and wood as building materials) but many early materials have been replaced with newer materials due to improvements in their properties or to the discovery of previously unobtainable properties. The advent of environmental awareness and sustainable development also has a place in the selection of engineering materials. Prepare a report in your own words discussing 5 different applications used to be made by metals and ceramics and have recently been replaced by polymeric materials such as solid polymers, polymer composites, polymer foams, and etc. Two of the applications must be related to aerospace and automotive industries. Your report should be between 1200-1500 words, should include references and diagrams where appropriate and should address the following points where applicable: What material(s) was used previously and why? What is the problem with this material/system? What is the proposed or new material/system? Why is it an improvement and what, if any, are the disadvantages?