About

About Materials Review

An independent desk that turns materials science into plain English.

Materials Review is an independent educational resource about the materials that hold up the built world: concrete, reinforcing steel, composites, and the polymers behind coatings, foams, sealants, and adhesives. Our goal is simple. Take what materials scientists and engineers already know, check it against primary sources, and explain it clearly for builders, students, and curious homeowners.

What we cover

Three connected fields. Concrete: what it is made of, how curing and cracking actually work, and what psi and mix ratios mean. Reinforcement: rebar sizes and grades, why concrete needs steel in tension, and where composite bars beat it. Polymers: how materials like polyurethane and epoxy behave, cure, and should be handled safely. The thread joining them is that they are all about how materials carry load, resist their environment, and fail.

How we work

We cite real sources. Facts here trace to university materials-science teaching modules, to standards from bodies like ASTM and the American Concrete Institute, and to reference works, and we link to what we can so you can check our work. We write for the reader, flag the number that matters, and say plainly when something depends on your specific project or local code. When we are not sure a claim is right, we leave it out.

What we are not

Materials Review is an independent educational resource. It is not affiliated with Pittsburg State University or the former Kansas Polymer Research Center, and it is not a substitute for a licensed engineer. Confirm structural, safety, and code questions with a qualified professional before acting.

To be explicit: Materials Review is not affiliated with Pittsburg State University, with the former Kansas Polymer Research Center, or with any university, standards body, or manufacturer. "Review" here means a plain-language survey of the science, not peer review or certification. Nothing here is engineering advice. Structural, safety, and code decisions belong to a licensed professional engineer who can see your specific job.

Get involved

If you work with these materials, we would value your help. Engineers, technicians, chemists, and tradespeople can contribute a guide or send corrections through our contact page.