Engineering Materials

The course is designed to cover the following subjects: classification of materials, atomic structure, periodic table, molecular structure, bonding in solid materials, the structure of crystalline solids, mechanical properties of the materials, phase diagrams, thermal processing of metal alloys, corrosion, properties, and introduction to ceramics, glasses and composites.

COURSE JUSTIFICATION/RATIONALE

This course will familiarize the student with the properties of metal, ceramic, polymer and composite engineering materials. Methods to protect materials and alter their properties will be investigated.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this course, the student should be able to:

§  select appropriate materials for various engineering applications;

§  identify characteristic properties of engineering materials made of metals, ceramics, and polymers, relate the material properties to their chemical make-up and structure and how these can be changed;

§  choose appropriate means of protecting materials against corrosion;

§  explain the effect of heat treatment on material property alteration.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

A student completing the course is expected to demonstrate:

§  Analyse the internal structure of a material (both at the micro and macro levels) controls the mechanical properties.

§  Describe how dislocation motion is responsible for permanent deformation in metals and how the ability to undergo slip influences the mechanical properties of the material.

§  Ability to control the mechanical properties of materials through a variety of processes and the implications on materials selection and design.