6

Chemistry of Engineering Materials

6.1 Semiconducting and super conducting materials

According to conductivity elements (or) materials are broadly classified into three categories. They are

1. Conductors

2. Semiconductors

3. Insulators

Conductors

They allow the maximum portion of the applied thermal or electric field to flow through them.

Example: Metals are good conductors.

Insulators

They do not practically allow the heat (or) electricity to flow through them.

Example: Most of the organic and Inorganic solids (except graphite).

Semiconductors

The thermal and electrical conductivity of a semiconductor at normal temperature lies between that of a conductor and Insulator.

Actually semiconductors are those solids which are perfect insulators ...

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