Module Details

Module Code: MECH6012
Title: Material Science & Engineering
Long Title: Material Science & Engineering
NFQ Level: Fundamental
Valid From: Semester 1 - 2016/17 ( September 2016 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5211 - Mechanical Engineering
Module Delivered in: 3 programme(s)
Module Description: This introductory course in Materials Science and Engineering aims to provide students with an insight into how to select the most appropriate material for a given application which satisfies certain design criteria. The relationships between material structure, processing or manufacture and material properties is described particularly for metallic materials and specifically steel. The course has a detailed practical programme where students will learn how to measure and tensile, impact and hardness properties of certain metals and characterize their microstructure. Students will be expected to write reports on their laboratory work. Students will use material selection software to help identify the choice of optimum material based on differing criteria for specific applications.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Identify and describe the basic mechanical properties, behaviour, limitations or performance of engineering materials
LO2 Explain the interaction between atomic structure and mechanical properties
LO3 Measure and characterise the mechanical behaviour or microstructure of a material
LO4 Select suitable materials for a particular design or application subject to appropriate design constraints whilst being mindful of Economic, Environmental and Societal issues
LO5 Structure and prepare a technical report on mechanical properties measurement or materials selection
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
An introduction to Materials science and Engineering
Classifications of materials e.g. metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, semiconductors, biomaterials, smart materials, nanomaterials. Requirements for engineering materials. (properties, performance, manufacturability, cost, recycling)
Types and Material Fabrication, Processing & Applications
Metals – ferrous/non ferrous alloys, Ceramics, Polymers Composite materials :-Reinforcement types, particle and fibre reinforced composites, rule of mixtures
The Structure of crystalline solids
Metallic crystal structures, polymorphism, crystal systems, polycrystalline materials Point defects, vacancies, substitutional, interstitial, impurities, line defects, edge defects, dislocations
Mechanical & Thermal Properties.
Stress and strain relationships, elastic plastic behaviour, tensile testing methods, true stress and strain, ductility, mechanical behaviour of metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, variability of material properties, safety factor, thermal properties
Deformation and Strengthening Mechanisms
Dislocations and slip, Strain hardening, heat treatment processes, recrystallisation, grain growth, surface and through hardening processes.
Material Failure.
Fracture – brittle & ductile fracture. Impact test. Fatigue & cyclic stress, S-N curve creep behaviour, creep tests, creep resistant materials
Phase Diagrams
Phase Equilibrium Diagrams, Binary Isomorphic Systems, Binary Eutectic Systems. Microstructure development, phase & composition, mass fraction calculations
Iron Carbon System
Iron-Carbon Phase Equilibrium Diagram, quenching and quenching media.
Laboratory Practicals
Material Selection: use of materials selector package (to include Strength considerations, other property considerations, Economic, Environmental and Societal issues, including cost, manufacturabilty, recycling); Techniques for Characterisation and Failure Analysis (including Tensile Test, Impact Test, Hardness Test).
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework30.00%
End of Module Formal Examination70.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 20
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 4
Assessment Description
Material selector package
Assessment Type Practical/Skills Evaluation % of Total Mark 10
Timing Every Second Week Learning Outcomes 1,3,5
Assessment Description
Laboratory Programme
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 70
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 1,2,4
Assessment Description
End-of-Semester Final Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact 3x 1hour lecture per week Every Week 3.00 3
Lab Contact Practical laboratory programme Every Second Week 0.50 1
Lab Contact Material selction package Every Second Week 0.50 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Self directed learning Every Week 3.00 3
Total Hours 8.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.00
This module has no Part Time workload.
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Michael Ashby, Dr Hugh Shercliff, David Cebon. (2013), Materials, 3rd Edition engineering, science, processing and design, 3rd. Butterworth-Heinemann, p.784.
  • Callister. (2010), Materials Science and Engineering, 8th. Wiley, p.1000, [ISBN: 978-0-470-50586-1].
  • Michael Ashby, David R H Jones,. (2011), Engineering Materials 1 An Introduction to Properties, Applications and Design, 4th. Butterworth-Heinemann, [ISBN: 978-0-7506-6380-9].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • W. Bolton, Mathew Philip. (2002), Technology of Engineering Materials, 1st. Butterworth-Heinemann, [ISBN: 978-0-7506-5643-6].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_EBIOM_8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Biomedical Engineering 2 Mandatory
CR_EMECH_8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering 2 Mandatory
CR_EOMNI_8 Engineering Common Entry (Level 8) 2 Mandatory