Materjali
Materjali (Finnish: material) is a concept referring to substances used to manufacture or construct goods, ranging from raw natural substances to engineered polymers and composites. The term is used in Finnish-language contexts and appears in industries such as engineering, construction, and design. In general, a material is any substance with a defined composition and structure that can perform under specific conditions. Materials science studies the relationship between composition, microstructure, properties, and performance of materials, often guiding design choices.
Materials are commonly classified by composition into metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites; by origin into natural
Properties and testing: Materials are characterized by mechanical properties (strength, stiffness, ductility, hardness), thermal properties (conductivity,
Processing and microstructure: The processing history—casting, forming, additive manufacturing, welding, heat treatment—shapes the microstructure and hence
Applications and selection: Design requires balancing performance, weight, cost, manufacturability, and sustainability. Material selection relies on
Sustainability: Recycling, end-of-life management, and circular economy principles guide material choices and decommissioning.
See also: Materials science, Metallurgy, Polymer science, Composite material.