Essence

Materials science studies the body of knowledge related to materials used to assemble a piece of work according to design, identity, and touch.

Each material has unique physical, chemical, electrical, and mechanical properties. However, the materials we use or see daily can be classified according to the source, such as natural and synthetic materials.

Study period

Study documents and media were given, including practicing activities throughout the course.

In short, materials science has long been associated with human life; in other words, "material science is all around us." Therefore, objects are all made up of materials. Each type of material has different characteristics and properties depending on the application in each type of work. At present, the properties of materials are being developed to be able to be used in various ways to facilitate human life.

Topic 3 Material Benefits

In everyday life, materials are used to make various utensils to facilitate usability, all of which have different characteristics. Objects can obtain natural materials such as wood, stone, soil, sand, steel, wool and plant fibers from nature. While artificial or manufactured materials are called "Synthetic materials" and are created by chemical processes to replace scarce natural materials such as plastic, foam, synthetic fibers and synthetic rubber, etc.

3.1 Selection of Materials in Daily Life

To bring materials to use in daily life is necessary to choose materials that have properties suitable for use as follows:

1. Flexible materials such as rubber are commonly used to make toys, such as dolls and balls. It is also used to make tires, rubber cables/ bands, etc.

2. Hard materials such as various types of metals used to make building structures, aircraft, cars, weapons, hand tools (wrench, screwdriver, nut), etc.

3. Tough materials such as various metals are used to make chains, pulleys, wires, screens, tendons, fishing lines, tennis rackets, badminton strings, etc.

4. Thermally conductive materials such as various metals are used to make cooking utensils. Heat-insulating materials such as plastic and wood make up the cooking utensils in the handles.

5. Conductive materials, such as various metals, copper, gold, and aluminum, can make wires and plugs. However, electrically insulating materials such as wood, rubber and plastic are used to make electrical leakage or electric shock protection devices.

3.2 Daily Materials

3.2.1 Wood

Wood is a material derived from "Woody Plants" growing above 6 meters which they may obtain from the trunk or branches of a tree. It can be divided into two groups: hardwood and softwood.

1. Hardwood is durable and hard to cut or saw, such as teak, tamarind, rosewood, and mango wood, commonly used to make furniture, tools and poles.

2. Softwood is a dense, lightweight and poorly loaded wood. This type of wood is easy to cut, sawn, planed or carve for decoration, such as sapwood, Kabak, eucalyptus, and rubber wood, commonly used to make furniture, toys, household items, picture frames, fruit crates, etc.

Ancient Thai House

Figure 1.4

3.2.4 Woven fabrics or Textiles

Woven fabrics or textiles are manufactured by spinning fibers into threads and woven into cloth to be sewn to make clothes and various items such as blankets, bedspreads, handkerchiefs, curtains, bags, bags, cushion covers, etc.

Plant fibers include cotton, linen, jute, hemp and kapok. As for fibers derived from animals, such as wool and silk

1. Cotton fibers are obtained from the flowers of the cotton plant.

When cotton fibers are woven into a fabric, its surface is smooth, durable, absorbs, and sweats well.

2. Flax fibers are obtained from the bark of the flax tree. It is shiny and has a smooth, hard surface woven into a fabric. It also absorbs water well but is easily wrinkled and rugged to iron.

3. Silk fibers are obtained from silk moths' cocoons. When filled and woven, the fabric is shiny and soft. It can maintain its shape well, is not easily wrinkled and absorbs moisture well.

4. Wool fibers are obtained from sheep, goats, and rabbits, but the most produced is wool. Wool woven fabrics absorb moisture and keep warm, so they are often used for sweaters and scarves.

Flower of Cotton

Figure 1.7

3.2.7 Glass

Glass is an industrial material made from a mixture of 63% sand, 15% limestone and 20% soda ash, which is brought into a furnace at 1,500 °C. The mixture is melted to form liquid glass. Then the ingredients, as mentioned, are put into the forming machine to make various products, for example,

1. Making various containers such as water glasses, bottles, jars, plates, bowls, and cups.

2. Making a sheet of clear glass/ frosted glass or mirror mounted on the window pane and partition walls is used as furniture components such as tables, cabinets, windshields, and car mirrors.

3. Making decorative ornaments, such as Chandeliers, keychains, and souvenirs.

4. Used as a component of lamps, television screens, computer monitors, eyeglasses, magnifying glasses, camera lenses, and clock faces.

3.2.8 Metal

Metal is the element of material found in rocks and minerals. Many metals include iron, copper, gold, silver, etc.

Examples of metal utilization

1. Steel and aluminum make cooking utensils such as pots, pans, and knives.

2. When iron is mixed with carbon, it is found that steel is stronger than pure steel for building materials, saw blades, steel files or drill bits.

3. Copper makes wires and components of electrical equipment, such as wires, because it conducts electricity well.

4. Silver, gold, and platinum are used to make jewelry such as rings, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces.

Use of Metal

Figure 1.10