Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Materials Science

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Materials Science 1. Alloy vs. Composite While both alloy and composite refer to materials made by combining two or more substances, they differ in their structure. An alloy is a homogeneous mixture of metals, whereas a composite is a heterogeneous combination of different materials, often with distinct phases. For example, bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, while fiberglass is a composite of glass fibers and a polymer matrix. 2. Ductility vs. Malleability Ductility and malleability both describe a material's ability to deform under stress. However, they differ in the type of deformation. Ductility refers to the ability to undergo plastic deformation, such as stretching into a wire, without fracture. Malleability, on the other hand, is the ability to undergo plastic deformation, like being hammered into a thin sheet. Gold, for instance, is highly ductile, while aluminum is both ductile and malleable. 3. Hardness vs. Toughness Hardness and toughness are often used interchangeably, but they represent different material properties. Hardness is a measure of a material's resistance to indentation or scratching. It's related to the material's atomic structure and bonding. Toughness, on the other hand, is the ability of a material to absorb energy without fracturing.