Lecture Programme:
Deformation and structure of solids
Stress and strain, ductility, brittleness, the tensile test, Young's modulus, yield strength, UTS, grains, dislocations, theoretical vs actual strength, concept of slip, plasticity crystal structure, planes, directions, slip systems, elasticity, Poisson's ratio. Brief introduction to engineering ceramics.
Microstructure and mechanical properties
Solidification, metallography, grain boundaries, deformation, annealing, recrystallisation, recovery, grain growth, diffusion, point defects Arrhenius equation, metal processing and production technology, electrical properties of metals.
Phase diagrams and Alloying
Concept of a phase, solid solubility, binary systems, eutectic and eutectoid alloy systems.
Strengthening mechanisms
Strengthening mechanisms; solid solution, dispersion and eutectic strengthening, age-hardening of aluminium alloys, heat treatment of steels to optimize mechanical properties.
Polymers
Polymer structure, polymerisation mechanisms, amorphous and semi-crystalline polymers, thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, time/temperature, viscoelasticity and mechanical properties.
Corrosion of metals
Principles of corrosion, influence of environment, control and prevention of corrosion in engineering situations, stainless steels, corrosion and stress. of corrosion in engineering situations, stainless steels, corrosion and stress.
Failure of materials
Ductile and brittle fracture, fracture mechanics, toughness, ductile-brittle transition temperature, fatigue, creep.
Engineering composites
Mechanical properties of composite materials: simple laminates, rule of mixtures, continuous versus discontinuous fibre composites, interface mechanics, critical length, shear stress transfer, failure mechanisms, toughness, wood.