Materials Scientists

Tasks

Core Tasks Include:

• Plan laboratory experiments to confirm feasibility of processes and techniques used in the production of materials having special characteristics.
• Confer with customers to determine how to tailor materials to their needs.
• Conduct research on the structures and properties of materials, such as metals, alloys, polymers, and ceramics, to obtain information that could be used to develop new products or enhance existing ones.
• Prepare reports of materials study findings for the use of other scientists and requestors.
• Devise testing methods to evaluate the effects of various conditions on particular materials.
• Determine ways to strengthen or combine materials or develop new materials with new or specific properties for use in a variety of products and applications.
• Recommend materials for reliable performance in various environments.
• Test individual parts and products to ensure that manufacturer and governmental quality and safety standards are met.
• Visit suppliers of materials or users of products to gather specific information.

Supplemental Tasks Include:

• Research methods of processing, forming, and firing materials to develop such products as ceramic dental fillings, unbreakable dinner plates, and telescope lenses.
• Study the nature, structure and physical properties of metals and their alloys, and their responses to applied forces.
• Monitor production processes in order to ensure that equipment is used efficiently and that projects are completed within appropriate time frames and budgets.
• Test material samples for tolerance under tension, compression, and shear to determine the cause of metal failures.
• Test metals to determine conformance to specifications of mechanical strength, strength-weight ratio, ductility, magnetic and electrical properties, and resistance to abrasion, corrosion, heat, and cold.
• Teach in colleges and universities.

The data sources for the information displayed here include: O*NET™ 16.0.