This module will introduce the student to the concepts of materials processing and selection and the criteria used in this process.

The broad scope of manufacturing and processing technologies for metals, ceramics and polymers will be introduced.

This will be followed by development of a deeper appreciation of the influence of processing upon the structure and properties of these materials.

(LO1) Knowledge and understanding of a broad range of advancedmetal, polymer and ceramic processing techniques and manufacturing technology. 

(LO2) Appreciation of how the processing of materials affects theirmicrostructure and properties.

(LO3) Understanding of heat-treatment processes in the context of materials processing

(LO4) Appreciation of the factors which are important in the selection of a material and fabrication process to produce components with specific mechanical and other properties

(S1) Problem solving skills

(S2) Numeracy

(S3) IT skills

(S4) Commercial awareness

Lectures: CERAMICS Overview of ceramics: physical properties, glasses, engineering ceramics, composites, applications, fabrication methods.

Fracture Toughness: brittle fracture, Griffith's criterion, critical stress intensity factor, Weibull statistics, design criteria, micro-structural toughening.

Creep Deformation: dislocation creep, Herring-Nabarro and Coble creep, deformation maps, micro-structural strengthening. Thermal

Shock Resistance: thermal expansion and conductivity, resilience to quenching, design criteria.

Electrical Applications: piezo- and pyro-electricity, dielectric and ferro-electric materials, gas sensors, superconducting tapes and films.

POLYMERS and COMPOSITES Manufacturing techniques for polymers : Extrusion, co-extrusion, blown-film extrusion, blow moulding, injection blow-moulding compression moulding, injection moulding, rotational moulding and thermo-forming of polymers. Joining techniques for polymers: ultrasonic, sp in, vibration welding, induction, hot plate and hot gas welding.

Mechanical properties of polymers:  Typical stress-strain curves for thermosets and thermoplastics, fracture properties of polymers, failure mechanisms such as crazing.

An introduction to composite materials: Fibre types, manufacturing techniques and typical applications.

Micro-mechanical properties. METALS AND ALLOYS Steels and Cast irons: Production, heat treatment, processing, special steels (e.g. for tooling, car bodywork, stainless etc).

Aluminium alloys : Production, heat treatment. Wrought alloys, processing, International Alloy Designation System.  Cast alloys.  Applications.

Titanium alloys:  Production.  Classification - a, a/b, b, micro-structure, heat treatments. Applications.

Super alloys: Performance requirements.  Functions of alloying elements, micro-structure, fabrication techniques. MATERIALS SELECTION FOR MECHANIC AL DESIGN The need for materials selection. Material property charts to aid the selection process. Derivation of performance indices for design for stiffness, strength, fracture toughness, thermal distortion, shock resistance.

Workshops: Three 6-hour Materials Selection and costing exercises using CES Computer-based Software.

Self-study directed reading: the state-of-art in specific aspects of materials processing and selection will be introduced by a directed reading list from professional and industrial publications.

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Yes

Teaching Method 2 - Case Based Learning
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided

Teaching Method 3 - Other
Description:
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided