Future Landscape of Structural Materials in India

Book excerpt: This book provides a perspective on the research, development, and manufacturing aspects of structural materials in India. The contents highlight materials to strengthen technology advancements in sectors like aerospace, defense, automotive, energy, health, and ICT. With the momentum of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, India has seen an increase in manufacturing of advanced components for these sectors. The vast field of materials covers a whole gamut including structural materials such as metals like steel, aluminum, titanium, polymers, glass, cement and composites; functional materials such photovoltaics, and smart materials are also discussed. This anthology focuses on structural materials and studies, in particular, the Indian landscape of manufacturing capability, R&D capability and status of advanced structural materials compared to the rest of the world. This study highlights the gaps and suggests necessary actions in the national landscape of structural materials, given the pull that will come from the burgeoning advanced components manufacturing over the next 10-15 years. The scope of this study is limited to structural materials covering metals and alloys, structural polymers, cement, glass, composites and high temperature ceramics. The contents of this book will be useful to researchers, industry professionals, and policy makers alike.