types of materials and how they are manufactured
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What Types of Materials Are Used in Manufacturing?
CATEGORY: BLOG, MANUFACTURING, MATERIALS
The types of materials used in manufacturing are virtually endless. While the creator may have an initial design in mind when they think of their products, sometimes, the material choice isn’t as evident as it should be. The wrong material can result in a project that isn’t cost-effective or create production delays that cut into sales. Material choice is going to be a crucial factor in any project, so making an informed decision is essential.
Design for manufacturing is a good strategy for picking out materials. During it, the product developer considers the impact of production as they create the first product. They may test out several materials, or create entirely new ones―in a quest to find the best possible base. Through this, they can make the design easier to produce so the creator can scale up manufacturing with demand.
Standard Types of Materials Used in Manufacturing
Types of materials used in manufacturing
The list of possible manufacturing materials could go on for infinity when one considers all the possible combinations. However, regardless of the type, it can be categorized into one of five primary subtypes, each of which has its own pros and cons.
Manufacturing Material Types
Subcategories
Pros
Cons
Polymers
At the molecular level, polymers are comprised of a large number of similar units and can be either synthetic or natural.
Polyethylene
Nylon
Teflon
Cellulose
Rubber
Easy to source
Inexpensive
Simple to work with
Lower-quality results
Less durability
Limited heat capacity
Metals
This material is typically shiny and lustrous. It is malleable and an excellent electrical conductor.
Aluminum
Copper
Tin
Steel
Bronze
Durable
High-quality results
Heat and cold resistant
Can be challenging to work with
Higher cost
Difficult to source
Ceramics
These are nonmetallic materials―typically clay, but not always―formed using high heat.
Glass
Cement
Clay
Porcelain
Stoneware
Lightweight
Robust electrical insulation
Inexpensive
Dimensional tolerances can be inconsistent
Cracking is possible
Processing can be challenging
Composites
This involves combining two or more disparate materials to create a new, unique material.
Concrete
Plywood
Fiberglass
Paper
Reinforced plastics
High durability
Customizability
Affordability
Can be bad for the environment
Repair is challenging
May require special handling
The types of materials used in manufacturing are virtually endless. While the creator may have an initial design in mind when they think of their products, sometimes, the material choice isn’t as evident as it should be. The wrong material can result in a project that isn’t cost-effective or create production delays that cut into sales. Material choice is going to be a crucial factor in any project, so making an informed decision is essential.
Design for manufacturing is a good strategy for picking out materials. During it, the product developer considers the impact of production as they create the first product. They may test out several materials, or create entirely new ones―in a quest to find the best possible base. Through this, they can make the design easier to produce so the creator can scale up manufacturing with demand.