Resources

On this page, I provide links to a variety of information resources. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of materials science resources, it is simply a start. My hope is that you will help me identify additional useful resources, and send me links to information that you find helpful. It is your job to make use of appropriate resources to solve your materials science problems, but please ask for help if you have trouble finding what you need.

Olin's Materials Science Laboratory Information

• MatSci Instrument Rundown. This is a list of what we have in the Olin labs, and how it may be useful.
• Lab Safety Manual

FTIR Analysis Software

• Got a FTIR spectrum you'd like to examine in detail? No problem! Download the KnowItAll U software, open your spectrum file, and enjoy the finest spectral analysis experience in town.

Teach Yourself Phase Diagrams

• Teach yourself phase diagrams, from Ashby, Engineering Materials 2

Equipment Operating Instructions

• INVESTMENT CASTING GUIDE
  • Ransom & Randolph Ultravest - Investment Instructions
• Instron Universal Tester
• Instron Impact Tester
• Rockwell Hardness Tester
  • Hardness Conversion Tables ASTM E140
• Microhardness Tester
• Thermomechanical Analyzer (TMA)
• Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)
• Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
• Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDS). EDS Troubleshooting Guide.
• X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD)
• Sputter Coater
• Sample Mounting Presses (Buehler Simplimet)

Material Properties - Where do I go?

Here are some resources for materials properties.

• Plastics Materials (7th edition). Good resource for structure-property information on different polymers.
• Handbook of Polymers. Another decent book, if you're looking for data sheets on different plastics.
• Handbook of Plastic Foams.
• ASM Engineered Materials Handbooks (go to the bottom of the left column...it's under ASM Desk Editions). This resource has some good information on polymers, ceramics, adhesives, and composites. Some sections of note:
  • General Information and Data. Tables of property values for polymers, composites, and ceramics.
  • Introduction to Polymeric Materials - Polymer Science for Engineers. Good introduction to structure-property relationships in polymers!
  • Properties and Characteristics of Engineering Plastics and Elastomers. Information on structure and properties of specific polymers.
  • Testing and Characterization of Polymeric Materials. Sections on thermal analysis, mechanical testing, weathering, etc.
• ASM Handbooks Online. This is an incredibly useful online resource for all things metals. The full-text handbooks are available through our library.
• Matweb. This is a decent searchable online database of material properties. Much of the property information is posted by the materials manufacturers, so use of the database involves a bit of trust that the vendors are providing accurate information.
• Knovel. A collection of full-text scientific and engineering books, including many materials science-related resources. Some potentially useful collections:
  • Plastics and Rubber
  • Metals and Metallurgy
  • Mining and Extractive Metallurgy
  • Electronics and Semiconductors - Materials and Applications
  • Textiles
  • ASM International Alloy Information
  • ASM Handbooks Online (through Knovel)
• CES Selector software. This is powerful software that is used for materials selection decisions in design. But...you can also use the software as a database of material property values. When you open the software, go to "Level 3," and search for materials of interest using the Search button in the toolbar. You'll get a list of matches in the left column, and you can click on the material names to access a list of properties. Available in the computer lab (near IT), and on several computers in the materials science labs, including the desktop system near the front of AC413.
• Callister textbook. Great tables of material properties in the appendices.
• www.webelements.com. Great web site for properties and structure of pure elements.
• Bookshelf in AC413. Your friendly materials instructors have placed a number of thier own textbooks on a bookshelf in the materials science lab. Feel free to use these resources, but please take care of them, and do not remove them from the lab.

Additional Materials Science Books

• Ashby, Engineering Materials 1: An Introduction to Properties, Application, and Design, 4th Ed.
• Ashby, Engineering Materials 2: An Introduction to Microstructure and Processing, 4th Ed.
• Ashby, Materials and Design, 2nd Ed.
• Ashby, Materials and the Environment, 2nd Ed.

Analysis Notes for Materials Testing

• Thermomechanical Analysis (TMA) of Polymers. This is a document published by Perkin Elmer that provides some detailed information on TMA testing and the analysis of polymer TMA curves.

ASTM Standards

• ASTM Standards (full text)

Stolk's Lecture Notes

• Mechanical Properties of Materials
• Atomic Structure
• Atomic Bonding
• Crystallography, Part 1
• Crystallography, Part 2
• Imperfections in Solids (Defects)
• Polymer Bonding and Structure
• Polymer Viscoelasticity and Glass-Rubber Transition - Notes
• Polymer Glass-Rubber Transition - Handout
• Stress Relaxation and Creep - Molecular Causes
• Diffusion
• Phase Diagrams
• Phase Transformations
• Nucleation and Growth
• Strengthenging Mechanisms