Course content

The course serves as an introduction to materials technology where the focus is on the most relevant aspects for applied mechanical engineering. The course takes both a top-down holistic approach and a bottom-up detailed approach where the first includes: The history of materials, how materials govern the development of society and technology, materials and innovations, resources and availability, life cycle cost, sustainability and environmental considerations, principles for systematic materials selection with respect to performance of materials, and principles for engineering design with respect to material properties and performance. Detailed topics are introduced using a bottom-up approach and include: atomic structure, molecular structures, crystalline structures, imperfections, diffusion mechanisms, phase transformations, principles of strengthening mechanisms and heat treatments, the relations between structures on multi-scale and properties: density, mechanisms of deformation: elastic, viscoelastic, plastic and fracture mechanical behavior, strength, hardness, ductility and toughness. Corrosion and other degradation mechanisms. Important structural engineering materials are emphasized: Carbon steels, steel alloys, light weight alloys and high temperature alloys, engineering polymers and fiber composites, common ceramics materials for structural applications. Selected processing and manufacturing methods are included.

Learning outcome

Knowledge: The candidate shall have a broad knowledge about the engineering materials including

• the fundamental structures and properties of metals, ceramics, polymers and composites,
• the relationships between structures and properties,
• pinciples for processing and fabrication of materials,
• properties and performance of materials for different applications used in different environments,
• the principles for rational and knowledge-based materials selection for given applications

Skills: The candidate shall be able to

• describe molecular structure, microstructures and corresponding properties for common materials
• use fundamental framework and relations to quantify features of material structures, the effect of important mechanisms and the properties of materials
• solve basic engineering problems related to materials selection for components and structures.

General competence: The candidate shall be able to

• communicate the aspects of materials and material technology related to mechanical engineering,
• recognize the needs for specific material competence in different engineering projects and
• be able to make sound estimates and judgments about the feasibility of engineering solutions involving materials and material selection.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, demonstrations and exercises. Laboratory work and project work can be included in the exercises.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Courses TKT4116 Mechanics 1, TKT4122 Mechanics 2.

Course materials

William D. Callister Jr., David G. Rethwisch "Materials Science and Engineering", 8th/9th/10th Edition (SI version), John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Notes and other teaching resources will be specified.

Credit reductions