Offered
Clayton First semester 2008 (Day)
Synopsis
Bonding: atomic/molecular arrangement. Crystal systems: directions and planes, stereographic projection; metallic, ionic and ceramic crystals. Defects; vacancies and interstitials; dislocations; stacking faults, twin and grain boundaries. Thermodynamics: condensed systems; entropy, Gibbs free energy; ideal and non-ideal solutions; surface energy and microstructure. Phase equilibria and microstructures: Gibbs phase rule; free energy diagrams; phase diagrams; deviations from ideality, phase separation; ordering; eutectic, eutectoid, peritectic and peritectoid reactions; non-equilibrium microstructures, implications for physical properties.
Objectives
On successful completion of this course students will:
- understand the definitive characteristics of the key classes of materials and their origins in electronic structure, bonding and atomic/molecular arrangement;
- have a thorough knowledge of elementary crystallography, including crystal lattices, elements of symmetry, crystal systems and their representation
- recognize common prototype structures for metallic, ionic and ceramic crystals, and possess an understanding of the factors influencing the development of these structures
- understand the geometry, crystallography and elastic properties of common crystal defects, and their effects on crystal properties
- understand the derivation of binary and ternary alloy phase diagrams from the laws of thermodynamics, in particular the free energy concept, including positive and negative deviations from ideality
- appreciate the concepts of equilibrium between multiple phases in binary alloy systems and their embodiment in Gibbs' Phase Rule and the concept of chemical potential
- understand the microstructures to be expected for various binary material systems exhibiting, in particular, complete solid solubility, the eutectic, eutectoid, peritectic or peritectoid reactions
- appreciate aspects of microstructure controlling solid solubility and the role of surfaces and interfaces in controlling microstrucures
- possess an elementary grasp of the consequences of nonequilibrium in binary systems
- appreciate the influence of microstructures on some physical properties
- have become familiar with the resources of a Library for acquiring information of specific interest to a Materials Engineer
- have gained basic laboratory skills applied to study the microstructure of materials
- have an ability to communicate within a team in carrying out laboratory work
- have an ability to keep accurate laboratory records and to prepare a formal report on an experiment.
Assessment
Four written assignments: 15%
Laboratory work: 25%
Written examination: 60%
Contact hours
3 hours lecture/tutorial, 7.5 hours of private study per week and 18 hours laboratory classes per semester
Prohibitions
MSC2011, MTE2501