Materials and Their Characteristics: Overview

Abstract

In its most general context, the term materials measurements denotes principles, techniques and operations to distinguish qualitatively and to determine quantitatively the characteristics of materials. As materials comprise all natural and synthetic substances and constitute the physical matter of products and systems, such as •  machines, devices, commodities •  power plants and energy supplies •  means of habitation, transport, and communication, it is clear that materials characterization methods have a wide scope and impact for science, technology, the economy and society. Whereas in the preceding chapters the principles of metrology, the science of measurement, are outlined, in this chapter an overview on the basic features of materials is given as a basis for the classification of the various methods used to characterize materials by analysis, measurement, testing, modelling and simulation.