Naturally occurring useful materials are called natural resources.

From stone and bronze to steel and concrete, materials are useful for a particular purpose because they behave in a certain way under certain conditions: they have particular qualities, which we call their properties. Understanding these properties is what materials science is all about.

Each material can be used to make a range of different things; for example, wood can be used to make tables, chairs, spoons, pencils, shoes, doors, floors and many more things. An object can be made out of different materials used together; for example, a chair can be made from metal and wood and plastic.

That there is a difference between an object and the material(s) it is made from. That different materials have different properties. That the properties of a material determine its suitability for a particular use. The definitions of key properties, e.g. absorbency and flexibility.

A description of some common mechanical and physical properties will provide information that product designers could consider in selecting materials for a given application.

• Conductivity.
• Corrosion Resistance.
• Density.
• Ductility / Malleability.
• Elasticity / Stiffness.
• Fracture Toughness.
• Hardness.
• Plasticity.

Physical properties of materials

• density.
• melting point.
• thermal conductivity.
• electrical conductivity (resistivity)
• thermal expansion.
• corrosion resistance.

Four properties of material are:

• Hardness.
• Malleability.
• Ductility.
• Good conductor of heat and electricity.

Material properties are physical, chemical, or mechanical components of a specific product that would determine its functionality and manufacturability. This would mean that a product’s material properties would specifically define the capabilities of the products in all aspects.