What Is Non Metallic Material?
Non metallic materials are any materials, both synthetic and natural, which do not contain metal. These materials are able to retain their unique chemical properties during the machining process. There are a wide variety of non metallic materials, including:
- Rubber
- Ceramics
- Fiber
- Plastics
As one of the more affordable and versatile non metallics, plastics are a desirable choice for a wide range of projects. Typically, these materials are composed of plasticizers, pigments, and fillers joined together by a natural or synthetic binding agent.
Depending on the project specifications, a manufacturer may choose between two types of plastic: thermoset and thermoplastic.
Once they have been heated and shaped, thermoset binders cannot be reshaped. Thermoplastic, on the other hand, retains its plasticity, allowing manufacturers to reshape it as many times as needed.
What Are the Properties of Non metallic Material?
Non metals have high ionization energies and electronegativities. They are generally poor conductors of heat and electricity. Solid nonmetals are generally brittle, with little or no metallic luster. Most nonmetals have the ability to gain electrons easily. Nonmetals display a wide range of chemical properties and reactivities.
Here is a summary of the properties of the nonmetals.
- High ionization energies
- High electronegativities
- Poor thermal conductors
- Poor electrical conductors
- Brittle solids—not malleable or ductile
- Little or no metallic luster
- Gain electrons easily
- Dull, not metallic-shiny, although they may be colorful
- Lower melting points and boiling point than the metals
What Are the Types of Non metallic Material?
In manufacturing, you can categorize non metallic materials into three groups: thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers. There are other non-metals, but these three are the most common ones in the manufacturing industry.
#1. Thermoplastics
Thermoplastics, also known as thermosoftening plastic, are plastic polymer materials. When heated, these plastic polymers become molten and harden again when cooled.
This process is also reversible, making thermoplastics very popular in several industries because manufacturers can reheat it and shape it into something new.
People can repeat this process almost indefinitely, which also makes thermoplastics great for recycling purposes. They can take one form for a certain product or material, and then a company can melt them down and reuse them when they have served their purpose.
Also, note that thermoplastics take on a glass-like state when frozen and become more brittle and susceptible to cracking or shattering.
There are many different types of thermoplastics, such as polycarbonate or polyethylene, which have everyday applications. And these are just a couple of classifications of thermoplastics.
Thermoplastic materials have many applications in different industries due to their hardy properties. You might be surprised to learn that this non-metal material makes up lots of the items that we use daily.
You can find the thermoplastic polycarbonate in CDs, DVDs, water bottles, and the lenses in your eyeglasses. Polyethylene thermoplastic makes up shampoo and squeeze bottles, cables, and grocery bags.
This is also why you should regularly collect and recycle these common items. You can easily recycle plastic bottles by tossing them in your recycling bin.
Additionally, you can even recycle plastic grocery bags, DVD discs, and eyeglass lenses. Just look for collection facilities for these items in your local community.
#2. Thermoset Materials
Thermoset materials are also polymer materials. Thermoset materials are different from thermoplastics because manufacturers can’t reform them after they harden. They have a very high melting point.
This means that thermoset materials are resistant to high temperatures and various extreme conditions. They also boast high chemical resistance and structural integrity.
However, this also means that they are not compatible with recycling processes. Some common examples of thermoset materials include polyester, epoxy, and other types of resins.
Due to their high melting points and resistances, thermoset materials are very popular in industrial applications. While the average person might not interact with them daily as they do with thermoplastics, anyone in an industrial space will likely work with them.
Thermosets often make up construction equipment parts, electrical components, cell tower tops, heat shields, circuit breakers, and various automotive parts. Thermosets make especially great electrical insulating materials as well.
They are cost efficient and readily available too. These properties make them even better for production in manufacturing and industrial facilities.
#3. Elastomers
Elastomers are simply polymers that possess elastic properties. They have both high elasticity and viscosity (also known as viscoelasticity). They are unique because they can regain their original shape even after pressure or stress deforms them.
In this aspect, they are different from both thermoplastics and thermoset materials. Whether something flattens or stretches them, elastomers will still revert to their original shape.
However, elastomers may not hold up to thermosets in terms of resistances, as they tend to harden or crack when exposed to extreme elements like heat and chemicals. Natural rubbers, silicone, polyurethane, and neoprene all make up the elastomer family.
You’re more likely to encounter products made with elastomers than thermosets daily. While manufacturers still use them industrially, elastomers often make up several automotive parts, including rubber tires.
Furthermore, you can encounter elastomers in balloons and wetsuit materials due to their elastic properties. Elastomers in the form of lubricants, adhesives, and tubes all aid the medical industry. Elastic clothing materials like lycra are forms of elastomers too.
What Are the Examples of Non metallic Material?
Non metallic materials can be made from both organic and inorganic compounds and include a range of different composites, polymers, textiles and vinyls.
Common examples of widely-used non metallic materials include:
- Adhesives
- Ceramics
- Cork
- Fibre
- Felt
- Lubricants
- Plastic (thermoset and thermoplastics)
- Rubber
What Are the Benefits of Non metallic Material?
Non metallic materials offer a range of physical and chemical properties, including having low thermal and electrical conductivity, making them good insulators as well as offering a high resistance to chemicals and corrosion.
They can, however, be brittle and tend to have a low melting or boiling point. When applied with stress, non metallic materials will often show an elastic, plastic, or viscous response.
Due to their unique properties, non metallic materials benefit various fields. In fact, without non metallic materials, many industries would suffer, and countless products that we use every day would not exist. Many fields are currently booming today due to these special materials.
#1. Uses In Construction Industry
The construction industry is one of the most widespread users of non metallic materials. Without these building materials, businesses, homes, roads, and many other structures wouldn’t be the same.
But what do these materials look like in this field? Common non metallic construction materials include concrete, asphalt, stone blocks, glass, and more. These materials are widely available and easy to supply, which is just one benefit they provide for construction companies.
Using non metallic materials is also more cost effective, helping construction businesses save money and resources. And while they may be cheaper, these materials can be just as strong as metallic ones.
As a result, people use them heavily in construction. For example, the foundation that your home rests upon is most likely concrete. We have nonmetals to thank for limestone, cement, brick, and other common building materials, some of which may be in your own home, too.
#2. Uses In Manufacturing Industry
There are also a wide variety of non metallic materials that manufacturers use. These industries commonly use nonmetals for their resilience to extreme conditions and environments.
Some materials, such as thermosets and thermoplastics, can handle high amounts of pressure and stress. Consequently, they’re great for withstanding some rigorous machining processes.
Specifically, manufacturers often use tapes and adhesives, foam materials, rubber, and more. For example, companies commonly use foam for manufacturing electronics, appliances, HVAC systems, and more.
You can find rubber in everything from automobile tires to rubber gaskets. Due to their resistance to multiple conditions, nonmetals make great sealants, too.
#3. Uses in Transportation Industry
The transportation field is another industry that benefits from using nonmetals. Engineers utilize rubber for all kinds of transportation purposes, such as aircraft tires and parts. A big reason why nonmetals are so useful for this industry is their lightweight nature.
Many non metallic materials are lighter and more flexible than metallic ones, making them especially ideal for aircraft manufacturing. Plastic and fiberglass are two great examples of these lightweight materials, which appear in all kinds of transportation vessels.
These materials resist the pressure and temperature changes that arise during flights due to their resistance to heat and cold.
#4. Uses In Energy Industry
Whether companies use them in the energy production industry or as the energy sources themselves, non metallic materials are also extremely vital to the energy field. We are still reliant on many of these energy sources, making nonmetals as irreplaceable as ever.
Electrical Applications
One feature of nonmetals stands out in the electric power field. It is their lack of conductivity. This may seem counterintuitive. But non metallic materials still help guide electricity, just through different methods.
Non metallic materials, such as fibers, plastics, and thermosets, make great insulating materials for electrical wiring and other parts. Because they aren’t conductive, they contain electrical currents and don’t waste energy.
These wiring systems also promote safety around electrical production equipment and electrical currents. Think of how difficult it would be to plug a cable into an electrical outlet without the protective casing around it.
These thermosets, rubbers, plastics, and more help protect manufacturers and consumers alike.
Oil And Gas Production
The lightweight properties of nonmetals come in handy again when working with oil and gas. These lightweight materials are ideal for maneuverability around factories and plants.
Another benefit of non metallic materials is the fact that they are highly resistant to corrosion. This means that they can hold up to the conditions that oil pipes and liners must face.
These materials can also aid in mining for these energy sources, and they often feature in mining and transportation equipment. They also resist the heavy amounts of pressure and weight in the mining processes.
Fuel Applications
In the energy industry, companies use non metallic materials for energy production and as energy sources. Naturally occurring nonmetals are some of our most utilized fuel sources.
For example, carbon is one of the main non metallic elements on the periodic table, and you may be familiar with it as a fuel source. Coal, which is still one of the world’s most widespread energy sources, has a heavy carbon content.
Notably, oil and gas have sizeable carbon contents as well. Over half of the world’s global energy comes from fossil fuels and carbon sources, meaning that these nonmetal fuels are still extremely vital to the energy industry.