Material

Material is a substance or mixture produced to be used in the manufacture of parts, structures, devices, or goods. In engineering and science, materials are analyzed by their composition, microstructure, and properties, which determine how they perform under service conditions. Materials science seeks to understand the relationship between a material's structure at the atomic or molecular level and its macroscopic properties.

Common classes include metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, and natural materials. Metals typically offer high strength and electrical or thermal conductivity; polymers provide light weight and versatility; ceramics offer high hardness and heat resistance but may be brittle; composites combine constituents to achieve tailored properties; natural materials include wood, bone, and stone.

Materials are processed by methods such as casting, forming, machining, joining, heat treatment, and surface engineering, as well as additive manufacturing. The choice of material and processing route depends on required properties, cost, manufacturability, and environmental considerations.

Properties used to characterize materials include mechanical (strength, stiffness, toughness), thermal, electrical, magnetic, chemical stability, and environmental durability. In design, material selection and life-cycle assessment aim to optimize performance while minimizing environmental impact. The field evolves with advances in nanotechnology, computational materials science, and sustainable materials engineering.