Editing Materials Science (section)

== <span style="color: #FFFFFF;">Understanding</span> ==
Materials science is built on the "Materials Science Tetrahedron": '''Structure''', '''Properties''', '''Processing''', and '''Performance'''.

'''Structure determines Properties''':
* '''Atomic Bonding''': Diamond and graphite are both made of carbon. In diamond, the 3D tetrahedral bonds make it the hardest natural substance. In graphite, the 2D layered bonds allow the layers to slide, making it a soft lubricant.
* '''Crystals and Defects''': Most metals are not "perfect" crystals. They have "dislocations" (slippages in the lattice). Strength often comes from ''preventing'' these dislocations from moving—for example, by adding smaller atoms that "clog up" the gaps (this is why steel is stronger than pure iron).

'''Material Categories''':
* '''Metals''': Characterized by "metallic bonding" (a sea of shared electrons), which makes them conductive and malleable.
* '''Polymers''': Long chains of atoms. Their properties depend on how "tangled" the chains are and if they are "cross-linked" (like vulcanized rubber).
* '''Ceramics''': High melting points and hard, but brittle. They are excellent insulators.
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