Materikai

Materikai is a term used in some discussions of materials science to denote a broad class of engineered substances that form the basis of modern technology. In this usage, materikai include metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, and newer families such as metamaterials, biomaterials, and nanomaterials. The term is not universally standardized and is encountered mainly in interdisciplinary or regional contexts. Researchers study materikai to understand how composition, structure, and processing determine performance.

Classification of materikai typically follows composition (metals, polymers, ceramics, composites) and function (structural versus functional or smart materials); or by microstructure (crystalline, amorphous, nanostructured). Core properties include mechanical strength and stiffness, toughness, density, thermal conductivity and expansion, electrical and magnetic behavior, and chemical stability. Researchers also assess durability, corrosion resistance, and environmental impact.

Production and testing rely on established processing methods such as casting, forging, powder metallurgy, extrusion, and additive manufacturing, as well as polymer processing and ceramic sintering. Characterization uses spectroscopy, microscopy, mechanical testing (tension, compression, fatigue), thermal analysis, and diffraction techniques to relate processing to microstructure and properties.

Applications of materikai span construction, aerospace, automotive, electronics, energy storage and conversion, and medicine. Ongoing research emphasizes sustainability, recyclability, and the development of multi-functional or adaptive materikai, supported by computational materials science and high-throughput discovery.