Engineering key Point

ASBESTOS Asbestos is a general name for several varieties of fibrous minerals which are available in nature. But presently, most of the commercial asbestos produced is ‘chriotile’ [Mg6SiO11(OH)6.H2O]. Properties of Asbestos 1. It is flexible, soft and non-porous. 2. It is fireproof and acid proof material. 3. It is a good insulator of heat and electricity. 4. When it is mixed with cement and water, it retains shape firmly. 5. Its colour is brown or grey. 6. It can be cut into pieces or can be drilled. 7. It possesses high tensile strength in the direction of its fibres. 8. Its specific gravity is 3.10. Uses of Asbestos 1. Asbestos cement sheets are the cheapest roofing materials. 2. Asbestos cement pipes are used as down take pipes of rain water from the roof. 3. With bitumen it forms good damp proof layer. 4. It is used for preparing fire proof ropes and clothes. 5. It is used as covering material for fuse and electric switch boxes. 6. It is...

The purpose of materials engineering is to obtain knowledge about the materials so that alternate materials with the desired characteristics m ay be produced. The basics of materials engineering relate the requisite properties of the materials with the structure of atoms in that material. The structure of a material and its properties depend upon the chemical elements of the material. The science of materials engineering examines the connection between the structures of materials at molecular scales and their macroscopic characteristics. The materials engineering is a broad based science that includes essentials of chemistry, physics, mechanical, and civil engineering. Due to the advancement of the nanotechnology, the science of materials engineering has obtained significant importance in recent years. Use of Materials In Industry The discipline of materials engineering is used in the industry not only to create perfection in the presently used materials, b...