Microstructural and Surface Characterisation

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Appreciate the capabilities of different analysis techniques for characterising the microstructure and surface of materials and components.
• Depending on the selection of final assignment either to be able to operate an electron microscope or to analyse academic and technical literature containing electron microscopy and crystallography data.
• Make an assessment as to whether available data constitutes a definite identification of a phase / structure
• Analyse (parts of) technical reports and scientific papers that relate to microstructure and surface analysis.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Recognize and assess the relevance of some of the common microstructural features in structural materials observed by optical microscopy, SEM, TEM, Surface Profilometry.
• Select appropriate sample preparation techniques for optical microscopy, SEM, TEM, Surface Profilometry.
• Start hands-on training on use of microstructure analysis equipment that has been discussed in the lectures, including TEM, SEM, optical microscopy, EBSD, EDX, Surface Profilometry and use what is learned in the module to understand the principle of the working of the equipment.

Knowledge and Understanding

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

• The application of Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy, Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD), Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX) and surface profilometry techniques to engineering materials.
• Crystallography of crystalline materials

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Have an improved capability to learn following web-based, self-paced means.
• Contribute materials microstructure and surface characterisation knowledge as part of teams in most engineering industries.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.