Material Science and Engineering
1. Indicate the correct material class for each material listed:
_B_ tile A. metal
_C_ Popsicle stick B. ceramic
_D_ plastic bag C. composite
_A_ paper clip D. polymer
2. Circle the type of deformation for each material. Write a brief description of the selected deformation.
tile: elastic plastic
Description:
Material did not permanently bend or change shape.
Popsicle stick: elastic plastic
Description:
The metal is elastic. The main deformation, however, is plastic. The material could bend (very
compatible), but it returns to its original position. No constant change of form.
paper clip: elastic plastic
Description:
Permanent shape change when bent.
plastic bag: elastic plastic
Description:
Under slight pulling, the plastic bag was rather elastic, but it was plastically deformed when
pulled more strongly.
3. Describe the failure of each material. Include deformation observations and failure features.
tile:
Before the fracture no bending was visible. Rapid (brittle) fracture, no plastic behavior.
Popsicle stick:
Before fracture there is no visible deformation. Fibrous fracture, and the ceramic tile does not fail
completely. Composites can produce mixed mode fractures, which means that the first phase is like a
ceramic or more elastic, while the second one is like a metal or plastic.
paper clip:
Permanent visible set or plastic behavior before fracture. Multiple times before the fracture had to
bend clip. Extreme plastic behavior.
plastic bag:
Visible permanent set or plastic behavior prior to fracture.
Fun Look at Material Science Lesson—Demo
Worksheet 1
