Materál

Materál is a term used in several languages to denote the substances from which things are made. In many technical contexts it corresponds to the English word material. In materials science, a materál is a substance with a defined composition and internal structure whose properties determine how it behaves in a given application.

Materials are commonly classified by their primary constituent and structure. Classical categories include metals (such as steel and aluminum), polymers (plastics and resins), ceramics (ceramic insulators and advanced ceramics), and composites (materials made from two or more constituents). Natural materials, like wood, stone, and bone, are also studied for their intrinsic properties and historical use. Metamaterials, which derive unusual properties from engineered microstructures, are a more recent area of interest.

Key properties of a materál include mechanical (strength, stiffness, ductility), thermal (conductivity, expansion), electrical (conductivity, resistivity), chemical (corrosion resistance, reactivity), and optical or acoustic characteristics. The microstructure, including crystal phases, grain size, and porosity, largely governs these properties and can be altered through processing.

Processing and fabrication involve extraction, refinement, and shaping of materials into components. Techniques such as casting, forging, extrusion, additive manufacturing, and surface treatment modify performance and longevity. Material selection for a project balances performance, cost, manufacturability, and sustainability, with increasing emphasis on lifecycle impacts, recyclability, and environmental footprint.

Standards and testing procedures assess material quality and performance, enabling design compatibility and interchangeability across industries.