The research on structural materials, notably in metallurgy, was the pioneering discipline
of the materials science. Besides “traditional” materials as metallic alloys and polymers
which are following up their progresses, the materials of wide uses and large diffusion,
like concrete, rubber, textiles, wood, paper and cardboard are now benefiting of the
advanced researches allowed by the progresses of the investigation and modelling methods
able to provide information on their great complexity linked to the fact they generally
are mixtures. High strength materials gain from active researches dealing with experimental
studies as well as modelling of the production processes, multiscale approaches of the
structures, properties, behaviour and optimized selection providing both scientific
advancement and improved applications. “System-materials” are another field of stuctural
materials, often in connexion with functionnal materials. Artificially built by putting
together elements going from atoms to fibers or particles of different sizes: composites,
smart materials, structural nanomaterials have opened the way to wide research perspectives
and exiting applications. Interdisciplinar researches on optimized mechanical behaviour,
chemical and topological analysis of the microstructure and processes modelling,
multiphysics modelling of the behaviour of structures and properties are developed
thanks to the advancement of the available instrumentation and calculation facilities.
Studies on the implementation of these materials providing an improved control of the
performances of the produced parts and objects need a renewed stimulation. Data bases
concerning thermodynamic properties as well as kinetics ones, mechanical and thermophysical
properties are necessary input data for these approaches and improvements. A continuous
enrichment of these bases is of vital importance.