Course unit

Last updated: 12/01/2024

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Course Director(s):

CHRISTIEN Frederic

General Description:

ECTS number : 3

This course deals with the physico-chemical phenomena occurring at surfaces and internal interfaces in materials. The course alternates the presentation of fundamental concepts and the resolution of exercises. It is structured as follows:

Basics of surface physics and chemistry

• Surface tension – Surface Energy – Surface wetting
• Crystallographic description of surfaces - Surface faceting
• Equilibrium shape of crystals – Wulff construction

Oxidation

• Thermodynamics of oxidation (Ellingham diagram)
• Kinetics of oxide growth

Grain boundaries in polycrystals

• Types of grain boundaries in common microstructures (as-solidified, recrystallized, martensitic)
• Grain boundary energy, grain boundary grooving
• Special and general grain boundaries

Interface segregation of solutes

• Thermodynamics of segregation
• Kinetics of segregation, bulk depletion, accelerated segregation
• Consequences of segregation

Key words:

Physics and chemistry of surfaces and interfaces Surfaces and interfaces in crystalline materials Oxidation Interface segregation Grain boundaries

Number of teaching hours

20

Fields of study

Materials Science

Teaching language

English

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the unit, the student will be capable of:	Classification level	Priority

Learning assessment methods

Percentage ratio of individual assessment			Percentage ratio of group assessment
Written exam:	100	%	Project submission:		%
Individual oral exam:		%	Group presentation:		%
Individual presentation:		%	Group practical exercise:		%
Individual practical exercise:		%	Group report:		%
Individual report:		%
Other(s): %

Programme and content

Type of teaching activity	Content, sequencing and organisation
Lecture	4 slots of 1.5 hour
Tutorials	8 slots of 1.5 hour
Written exam	1 slot of 2 hours