Engineering materials are normally split into 4 categories – metals, polymers, ceramics and composites. Understanding the materials in these different categories and how they are structured on the molecular level is essential for being able to use them effectively in engineering applications.
Metals
Metals are unique materials that lend themselves well to techniques like alloying and hardening, making them very useful in engineering.
Composite Materials
Composites combine different materials to create a new material with useful properties, like higher strength or improved ductility.