UNIT 3

ENGINEERING MATERIALS

Reading

 Before you read

1. Discuss the pictures in the small groups.

a. What kind of materials are used in engineering?
b. List the materials you know and combine your list with your friends in group.

2. Read the following material quickly.

Engineering Materials

Engineers have to know the best

and most economical materials to use.
Engineers must also understand the
properties of this materials and how they
can be worked. There are two kinds of
materials used in engineering – metals
and non-metals.

We can divide metals into ferrous and nonferrous metals. The former contain
iron and the latter do not contain iron. Cast iron and steel, which are alloys, or
 mixtures of iron and carbon, are the two most important ferrous metals. Steel
contains a smaller proportion of carbon than cast iron contains. Certain elements can
improve the properties of steel and are therefore added to it. For example, chromium
may be included to resist corrosion and tungsten to increase hardness. Aluminum,
copper, and the alloys, bronze and brass, are common non-ferrous metals.

Plastics and ceramic are non-metals; however, plastics may be machined like
metals. Plastics are classified into two types – thermoplastics and thermosets.
Thermoplastics can be shaped and reshaped by heat and pressure but thermosets
cannot be reshaped because they undergo chemical changes as they harden.
Ceramics are often employed by engineers when materials which can with stand
high temperatures are needed.

Taken from: English in Mechanical Engineering Page 1-2

 After you read

3. Study the following statements and decide whether they are True (T) or
False (F)
1. Non-metals are used by engineers. (____)
2. Cast iron contains more carbon than steel. (____)
3. Chromium improves the properties of steel. (____)
4. Copper contains iron. (____)
5. Bronze is an alloy. (____)
6. Thermosets can be machined. (____)
7. Thermoplastics are metals. (____)
8. Ceramics can withstand high temperatures. (____)

4. Understanding Main Idea and Specific Details

Main idea is the chief point an author is making about
a topic. It sums up the author’s primary message. It is
also called as topic sentence. Topic Sentence is the
statement of the main idea. It is the statement under
which all other material in the paragraph – examples,
reasons, facts, details and other evidence – can fit.
Topic sentences are usually in the first sentence of the
paragraph, but not always. They may also be located within the paragraph or at the
end of the paragraph. They may even appear twice – at the beginning and at the end.
Sometimes a selection lacks a topic sentence but that does not mean that it lacks a
main idea. The author simply lets the details of the selection suggest the main idea.
You must figure out the implied idea by deciding the points of all the details.
A paragraph contains facts, statements, examples-specifics which guide us to a
full understanding of the main idea. They clarify, illuminate, explain, describe,
 expand and illustrate the main idea and are supporting details. There are two kinds
of supporting details-major and minor. The main idea and its major supporting
details form the basic framework of paragraphs. The major details are the primary
points that support the main idea. Paragraphs often contain minor details as well.
While the major details explain and develop the main idea, they, in turn are expanded
upon the minor supporting details
Taken from: Tens Steps To Advancing College Reading Skills pp: 14-37

5. Practicing Main Idea and Supporting Details

Read the text titled “Engineering Materials” above and write the main idea and
supporting details with your own words.
Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3
Main Idea: Main idea: Main Idea:

Supporting detail 1: Supporting detail 1: Supporting detail 1:

Supporting detail 2: Supporting detail 2: Supporting detail 2:

6. Answer the questions below correctly.
1. What are the two main kinds of materials used in engineering?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2. Name the two subgroups of metals.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
3. What is the property of Chromium?
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
4. Mention the main property of tungsten.
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
5. Is brass an alloy? Why?
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________