Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title INTRODUCTION TO STRUCTURAL MATERIALS
Code ENGG108
Coordinator Dr TJ Bullough
Mechanical, Materials & Aerospace Eng
Timbull@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2020-21 Level 4 FHEQ First Semester 7.5

Aims

To provide students with a basic introduction to the mechanical properties and deformation of metals, ceramics and polymers, and how the properties are related to microstructure and processing.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) gain an appreciation of how materials are selected and specified in industry

(LO2) gain an appreciation of materials failure processes

(LO3) gain knowledge and understanding of the relationships between materials properties, the microstructure, processing, and mechanical and thermal treatments.

(LO4) gain knowledge and understanding of the main principles and experimental practice of mechanical testing of materials in engineering

(S1) analytic and problem solving skills

(S2) laboratory skills

(S3) recording and presenting data, and graph plotting; technical reporting skills


Syllabus

 

Introduction to engineering materials, microstructure, classifications and selection:

Steels and non-ferrous alloys. Atomic structure (crystals and defects) and

microstructure (grains and grain boundaries). Solidification and deformation.

Structural ceramics.

Polymers and polymer-composites

Other materials (wood, concrete…)

Mechanical testing and mechanical properties of metals:

The tensile test. Engineering and true stress/strain; elastic and plasticdeformation; yielding;

effect of strain-rate and temperature.

Deformation. Microstructural factors (grain size) and strengthening (work hardening) in pure metals.

Flow stress. Annealing and hot working (recovery, recrystallisation and grain growth).

Hardness Testing. Vickers, Brinell and Rockwell.

Fatigue Failure and Fatigue Testing. S-N curves; the Goodman diagram.

Creep. Creep strength, effect of temperature and stress

Impact fracture. Ductile and brittle behaviour. Charpy impact test. DBTT.

Mechanical Properties of Ceramics

Mechanical Properties of Polymers and polymer-composites

Heat Treatment and Microstructure-Property Control

Strengthening processes in metals. Cold work, grain size, solution hardening, precipitation hardening.

Heat treatment of metals: Annealing, normalising, solution treatment, hardening, tempering, precipitation hardening, recrystallisation annealing, stress relief

Industrial alloys for structural applications – specifications and applications.

Carbon steels, cast irons, special steels. Aluminium alloys. Die casting alloys (zinc and magnesium). High temperature alloys (nickel and titanium).

Lab - Tensile Test (TT)

Lab - Heat treatment of plain carbon-steels (HC)


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 - Synchronous teaching sessions weekly using Teams or Zoom to replace lectures, supplemented by provision of asynchronous self-study materials in Canvas or VITAL

Description: Cover the under-pinning materials science and engineering concepts.

Teaching Method 2 - Laboratory Work
Description: Tensile test lab, plus Heat treatment lab (hardness testing and impact testing) to measure materials properties.
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: 2 x 3-hour practicals
These learning and teaching methods will be used for hybrid delivery, with social distancing on campus, as planned for semester 1. The following changes may be required in response to circumstances:
- fully online delivery and assessment, (i.e. if full lockdown is necessary): The on-campus lab work will be stopped and whenever possible replaced by a video or similar and provision of pre-prepared datasets and experimental results for analysis and report-writing.
- standard on-camp us delivery with minimal social distancing: The synchronous Teams/Zoom remote teaching sessions may return to being on-campus lectures.


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 18

    6

    24
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 51
TOTAL HOURS 75

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Assessment 4 There is a resit opportunity. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :end of 1  2 hours    70       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Assessment 2: Tensile test (TT) and Heat Treatment (HT) labs. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When): during semester 1  3 hours for each lab    15       
Assessment 1: Online test. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission unless a class-test. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When): during semester 1, probably deadline   Typically 2 or 3 onl    15       

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.