2-Classification of materials

• Classification of materials for product design

  • Metals
  • Woods
  • Polymers
  • Papers and boards
  • Composites
  • Smart materials
  • Modern materials
• Metals, woods and polymers have more than one classification
• Definitions of material classifications

  • Ferrous metal
  • Non-ferrous metal
  • Alloy
• Ferrous metals


  • Cast iron, steel, wrought iron
• Non-ferrous metals


  • Aluminium, copper, silver, gold, titanium
• Alloys


  • Bronze, brass, duralumin
• Classification of woods


  • Hardwood
  • Softwood
  • Manufactured board
• Hardwoods


  • Oak, ash, mahogany, teak, birch, beech
• Manufactured boards


  • Plywood, marine plywood, veneered plywood, chipboard, MDF
• Classification of polymers


  • Thermoplastic
  • Thermosetting
  • Elastomer
• Thermosetting polymers


  • Urea formaldehyde, melamine formaldehyde, polyester resin, epoxy resin
• Elastomers


  • Natural rubber, polybutadiene, neoprene, silicone
• Classification of papers and boards

  • Papers
  • Boards
• Papers


  • Layout paper, cartridge paper, tracing paper, bleedproof paper, treated paper, watercolour paper
• Boards


  • Corrugated card, bleached cast mount board, duplex card, foil backed and laminated card, retail effect card, moulded paper pulp
• Classification of composites


  • Fibre based
  • Particle based
  • Sheet based
• Composites


  • CFRP, GFRP, tungsten carbide, concrete, engineered wood, glass
• Classification of smart materials

  • Shape memory alloys
  • Thermochromic
  • Photochromic
  • Electroluminescent
• Classification of modern materials

  • Precious metal clay
  • High density modelling foam
  • Polymorph
• Modern materials are not smart materials because they do not react to external change
• Thermosetting polymers cannot be recycled, so they are inappropriate for products like carrier bags that are often recycled
• Compliant material


  A material that is flexible and can be easily shaped or formed
• Smart material


  A material whose physical properties change in response to an input or change in the environment, such as electricity, pressure, temperature or light
• Smart materials


  • Shape memory alloys, thermochromic pigments