Hierarchical Structure of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Materials

1. Classification by Function

1.1 Conductive Materials

• Copper
• Aluminum
• Silver
• Gold
• Graphene

1.2 Resistive Materials

• Manganin
• Nichrome
• Carbon composition
• Tantalum nitride

1.3 Insulating (Dielectric) Materials

• PVC
• Bakelite
• Teflon
• Glass
• Mica
• Ceramic

1.4 Semiconducting Materials

• Silicon (Si)
• Germanium (Ge)
• Gallium arsenide (GaAs)
• Silicon carbide (SiC)
• Indium phosphide (InP)

1.5 Magnetic Materials

Soft Magnetic

• Silicon steel
• Ferrites

Hard Magnetic

• Alnico
• Neodymium iron boron (NdFeB)

1.6 Electrochemical Materials

Battery Electrodes

• Lithium cobalt oxide
• Graphite

Supercapacitor Materials

• Activated carbon
• Metal oxides

2. Classification by Property

2.1 Electrical Properties

• High conductivity (Copper, Silver)
• High resistivity (Manganin, Nichrome)
• High dielectric strength (Mica, Teflon)

2.2 Thermal Properties

• High thermal conductivity (Aluminum, Copper)
• Thermal insulation (Ceramics, Glass)

2.3 Magnetic Properties

• High permeability (Mu-metal, Ferrites)
• High coercivity (NdFeB, Alnico)

2.4 Optical Properties

• Optoelectronic (GaAs, InP)
• Transparent conductors (ITO)

3. Classification by Application

3.1 Power Systems

• Conductors: ACSR, XLPE
• Insulators: Porcelain, Polymeric
• Transformer cores: CRGO steel
• Insulating oils

3.2 Electronics

• PCB substrate: FR-4
• Semiconductor base: Doped Silicon
• Capacitors: Ceramic, Electrolytic
• Diodes and transistors: Si, GaAs

3.3 Communication

• Antennas: Copper, Aluminum
• RF components: Ferrites, GaAs
• Waveguides: Silver-coated metals

3.4 Renewable Energy

• Photovoltaics: Crystalline Si, CdTe, Perovskite
• Windings: Enamelled copper
• Composites: Epoxy resins