Materials: An overview This book presents a clear overview of the most important design materials, their production, properties, composition, and use. It also presents a concise outline of cleaning agents and dyes, and the basics of organic and inorganic chemistry. Materials are the starting point for every design process, whether in architecture, art, or crafts. Ancient artifacts show that people have always manipulated materials to derive practical and/or aesthetic benefits from them. The scientific interest in the properties of materials did not begin until the dawn of the industrial age in the early nineteenth century. With this book we finally have a solidly grounded textbook on the fundamentals of materials science. Everything you always wanted or needed to know about dyes, plastics, textiles, metals An overview of materials, their production, properties, and composition, and practical applications Understandable, thorough, clearly arranged, this is a reference book for students, pupils, professionals, and anyone interested in materials science