Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton

Module overview

The aims of this module are to:

• develop a basic understanding of the properties of materials
• and hence provide a sound rationale for selection and use of materials in engineering.

Objectives (planned learning outcomes)

Knowledge and understanding
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• the physical origins of properties of materials and their control.
• the ways in which properties of materials govern their selection in engineering applications.

Intellectual skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:

• demonstrate how defects in atomic structure affect mechanical properties
• relate the kinetics of a number of apparently different materials processes to the same underlying process (diffusion)
• explain how strengthening mechanisms occur on the microstructural scale and how this is related to the bulk mechanical properties we require in engineering structures
• apply the use of phase diagrams to explain the development of microstructure and hence how alloys are designed
• analyse failure problems and apply the correct fracture mechanics approach
• show how non-metallic bonding leads to very different properties (e.g. ceramics and polymers)

Practical skills [where appropriate]
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:

• conduct tensile and fracture toughness tests
• assess fractography

General transferable (key) skills
Having successfully completed the module, you will be able to:

• solve problems (i.e. link appropriate analytical approaches to engineering problems)
• discuss problem solving approaches in small groups

• Materials in Engineering (1 lecture): Metals, ceramics, polymers and composites.
• Fundamentals (4 lectures): Atomic structure and interatomic bonding; electrons, atoms and molecules; the Periodic table; bonding and interatomic forces; the structure of crystalline solids; basic structures, unit cells; holes and lattices; imperfections in solids; point, linear, planar and volume defects; diffusion.
• Mechanical properties (3 lectures): Stress and strain; elasticity; tensile properties; hardness; strengthening mechanisms; recovery, recrystallisation and grain growth.
• Microstructures and their control (4 lectures)
  Phase diagrams; thermal processing; precipitation hardening
• Failure of metals (3 lectures): Failure; fracture, brittle and ductile failure; impact and fracture toughness; fatigue; creep.
• Non metallic materials and their properties (4 lectures): Ceramics and glasses; main classes, properties and uses; polymers; basic structures and bonding; polymerisation; cross linking; thermoplastics and thermosets; composites; main classes, properties and uses.
• Materials in engineering applications (3 lectures): Case studies.

Teaching methods include

• 22 lectures (two 45 minute sessions per week) which develop the themes described in this module. Skeleton notes (orange book) are given out at the start of the course, which means you only have to note down the key points during the lecture, but still have a full set of notes to work from.
• 2 supervised examples classes (with web-based materials) these are based in computing clusters and last for ~ 2.5-3 hours. You will work through the problems in your green course-book and have access to a detailed web package, incorporating additional material that supplements the lectures, including animations and self-test multiple choice questions (MCQs). An academic supervisor and postgraduate tutor-demonstrators will be on hand throughout the session to discuss the problems set out in your green workbook and to mark and correct your work. You must be signed out by one of these members of staff to confirm you have attended and satisfactorily completed these classes as part of your formal coursework requirement
• 1 laboratory class on mechanical testing (including MCQ assessment). You will carry out a number of mechanical tests, pool your results and write up the lab as a class in your green course-book during the laboratory session (~ 2.5-3 hours). After a class-room discussion of the results (led by an academic supervisor) there will be a closed notes 15 minute MCQ test, which will be marked in the class and goes towards your formal coursework requirement. This together with the supervised examples classes will define 20% of your overall mark
• 5 supervisions (small group work in groups of 12-20). There is a set of supervision questions on each of the five main sections of the course in the green coursework book. You should attempt each supervision sheet before the relevant supervision, and the questions and solutions to them will be discussed with the whole class, led by an academic supervisor

Learning activities include

• 5 web-based self-paced MCQ are available throughout course: these have to be taken in your own study time by regular deadlines given throughout the course (essentially on the same time-scale as the related supervision classes). The MCQs can be retaken as required as they vary somewhat each time they are taken. These MCQs are in the style of the final examination, and also contribute to your final coursework mark.
• Self-study of web-based materials after introduction in supervised examples classes, including a revision MCQ across all topic areas
• Access to past paper exam question bank
• Cross-referencing between course text-book (Callister) and relevant sections of the lecture notes

Core Text

William D. Callister, Materials Science and Engineering, an Introduction, (Sixth edition), Wiley, 2002 ISBN 0-471-32013-7

Background Texts

N/A

Feedback and student support during module study (formative assessment)

A series of supervision problems are attempted in small groups, and the solutions are discussed with the supervisor. (MCQs) are available electronically from a pool of quizzes on all aspects of the course, and allow you to independently test and retest your own performance. Supervised examples classes using web-based materials (e.g. animations) and problems are worked through with tutors and the students' working is checked/corrected in their course-book. The formal MCQ at the end of the laboratory is marked at the end of the session giving direct feedback. Past papers and some model answers are available on the web site.

Relationship between the teaching, learning and assessment methods and the planned learning outcomes

The laboratory sessions, supervision classes and examples classes are intended to strengthen understanding and application of the lecture material. The examinations test understanding of the underlying concepts and links between the five main subject areas. Examination questions are structured to test problem solving skills and application of knowledge.