What is one of the challenges of working with new materials in engineering?

The challenge of working with new materials in engineering is primarily associated with their unknown performance characteristics. When engineers begin to work with a new material, they often lack comprehensive data on how that material will behave under various conditions such as stress, temperature fluctuations, and environmental impacts. This uncertainty can lead to potential risks in design and usability, as unforeseen issues may arise during the manufacturing or operational phases.

Understanding the performance characteristics is crucial for ensuring reliability, safety, and efficiency in engineering applications. Without reliable data, engineers may face challenges in predicting how the material will perform, which can complicate the design process and make it more difficult to innovate effectively.