Materials science usually aims at increasing the mechanical properties and the performances of materials by optimizing and controlling the microstructure by the process. Thus, this course will address three essential points for a suitable control of the material properties. First, the link between the microstructure and the mechanical properties will be detailed in a general introduction. Then in a second step, the different microstructure evolutions will be explained, and the underlying physical and thermodynamic origins of these evolutions will be detailed. Finally, the possible control of microstructure with processing conditions is addressed all along the course, with a special emphasis on the solidification and the thermal treatments.
This course is a general introduction of materials science, with a special focus on metallic materials. It provides the basic background to understand the microstructure of metals and their possible evolution.
Outline of the lecture:
1. Introduction on the relation microstructure / properties
1.1 Elasticity and plasticity
1.2 Damage and fracture toughness
1.3 Effects of the microstructure
2. Basics of crystal structure
2.1 Definition of the crystalline lattice
2.2 Definition of the microstructure and phases
3. Thermodynamics and Phase diagrams
3.1 Basics, solidification of a unary system
3.2 Binary systems and phase diagrams
3.3 Uusal phase diagrams
4. Phase transformations
4.1 Solidification thermodynamics and kinetics
4.2 Solid-state transformations
4.3 Transformation kinetics modeling
4.4 Transformation diagrams for the selection of heat treatments
5. Selection of materials
5.1 The materials selection criteria
5.2 Applicative example
6. Practical works : mechanical tests, metallography, thermal treatments
| On completion of the unit, the student will be capable of: | Classification level | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Know the essential mechanical properties of materials | 1. Knowledge | Essential |
| Understanding of the main microstructural effects on the properties | 1. Knowledge | Essential |
| Making quick estimations of possible mechanical properties changes | 4. Analyse | Useful |
| Know the thermodynamics background of phase changes and solidification | 1. Knowledge | Essential |
| Read a phase diagram and deduce possible interesting metallurgical features | 4. Analyse | Essential |
| Know the usual phase diagrams | 1. Knowledge | Important |
| Reading of TTT and CCT diagrams for the estimation of phases transformation during heat treatments | 3. Apply | Essential |
| Application of empirical kinetics modeling of phase transformation | 3. Apply | Important |
| Know the basics of experimental mechanical testing | 3. Apply | Important |
| Know the basics of experimental metallography | 3. Apply | Important |
| Capability to gather the course knowledges for materials selection and product design | 5. Summarise | Useful |
| Percentage ratio of individual assessment | Percentage ratio of group assessment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exam: | 70 | % | Project submission: | % | |
| Individual oral exam: | % | Group presentation: | % | ||
| Individual presentation: | % | Group practical exercise: | % | ||
| Individual practical exercise: | 30 | % | Group report: | % | |
| Individual report: | % | ||||
| Other(s): % | |||||
| Type of teaching activity | Content, sequencing and organisation |
|---|---|
| Lectures and tutorials | 52 hours |
| Practical works | 8 hours |