What action should a materials engineer take if the materials for Item 200 are too fine?

When materials for Item 200 are too fine, blending them with coarser materials is often the most effective solution. Fine materials typically have a larger surface area to volume ratio, which can lead to issues such as poor flowability, increased packing density, or potential difficulties in achieving desired mechanical properties in a composite material.

By blending fine materials with coarser ones, the engineer can enhance the overall properties of the mix. The coarser materials can provide structure and improve workability, making it easier to handle and process the mixture. This approach can lead to better performance in applications such as concrete, where the combination of aggregate sizes is crucial for strength and durability.

Using the materials 'as is' may result in suboptimal performance, while discarding them would waste potentially valuable material resources. Mixing with water depends heavily on the specific application and may not address the issues related to particle size distribution. Therefore, blending with coarser materials stands out as the most practical and effective strategy in this scenario.