Version | 1.0 |
Unit Name | MATERIALS FOR ENGINEERS |
Unit Code | MME511A |
Unit Duration | 1 Term (online) or 1 Semester (on-campus) |
Award |
Graduate Diploma of Engineering (Mechanical) Master of Engineering (Mechanical) |
Year Level | One |
Unit Coordinator MME Course Coordinator |
Dr Rumana Sultana Dr Milind Siddhpura |
Common/ Stream / Elective: | Elective |
Pre-requisites | Nil |
Credit Points |
3 Grad Dip total course credit points = 24 Masters total course credit points = 48 |
Mode of Delivery | Online or on-campus. |
Unit Workload |
Student workload including “contact hours” = 10 hours per week: Lecture – 1 hour Tutorial – 1 hour Practical / Lab – 1 hour (if applicable) Personal Study recommended – 7 hours |
Unit Description and General Aims
Mechanical engineers must have a sound knowledge of materials; their properties, how to work them and maintain them. Materials in the 21st century are not only metals but a large range of plastics, elastomers, ceramics but even types of wood.
The student will obtain a sound knowledge of the metallurgy of both ferrous and non-ferrous metals as well as working knowledge of alloys and eutectic systems. The principles of heat treatment, forming, joining metals by various means, surface treatments to enhance required properties or to provide corrosion protection will be discussed.
The uses of various types of engineering plastics will be explained; students will recognise their advantages and limitations. Composite materials (GRPs, for instance) and their repair in practice will be explained. The student will appreciate how materials are converted into useful artefacts by using 3D methods.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this Unit, students are expected to be able to:
- Evaluate how materials have shaped societies throughout history.
- Bloom’s Level 5
- Assess the origins of the most used materials and have an awareness of their social and environmental consequences
- Bloom’s Level 5
- Determine the physics of materials, and metals, including atomic, crystalline, and molecular structures.
- Bloom’s Level 5
- Formulate the method for the further working of materials, including alloying, to achieve desired engineering properties.
- Bloom’s Level 6
- Critique material testing and implement collaboration with others in undertaking tests and reaching conclusions.
- Bloom’s Level 5
- Synthesise material data sourcing and compare materials, by calculation where necessary. To decide, considering all factors especially engineering, social, environmental, and economic, which materials best meet the particular requirements
- Bloom’s Level 6
Student assessment
Assessment Type |
When assessed |
Weighting (% of total unit marks) |
Learning Outcomes Assessed |
Assessment 1 Type: Weekly Quizzes Topics covered: 2-11 |
Weekly Quizzes |
10% |
All |
Assessment 2 Type: Test (Invigilated) Example: Short/Long answers and Problems to solve Topics covered: Topics 1 to 5 |
During Topic/Week 6 |
25% |
4, 5 |
Assessment 3 Type: Practical (Report) and Presentation |
After Topic 8 |
25% |
6 |
Assessment 4 Type: Research (Report) and Presentation Description: A complete report with sections on methodology, implementation / evaluation, verification / validation, conclusion / challenges, and recommendations / future work. If this is a new report, all headings from the midterm and the final reports must be included.] Word length: 3000, excluding makers’ diagrams and layout drawings. Topic: To select suitable materials for the various parts of a complex mechanical machine. (The type of machine and desired performance of its individual parts will be nominated by the course co-ordinator). Full references must be made to materials data sources; all calculations relevant to the materials selected will be shown. The student must also show that economic, environmental, and ethical factors have been considered. Topics covered: All |
Final Week |
35% |
3, 4, 5, 6 |
Attendance / Tutorial Participation Example: Presentation, discussion, group work, exercises, self-assessment/reflection, case study analysis, application. |
Continuous |
5% |
1 - 6 |
Prescribed and Recommended readings
Required Textbook
- W. D. Callister, D. D. Rethwish, Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction, 10th Edition. John Wily and Sons, Inc., 2018. ISBN: 978-1119405498
- R. W. Messler Jr., The Essence of Materials for Engineers. Jones and Bartlett Learning, 2010. ISBN: 978-0763778330
Reference Materials
- M. F. Ashby, Materials Selection in Mechanical Design, 5th Edition. Department of Engineering, Cambridge University, England, 2011 (available on the eLibrary)
- Materials handbook, 10th edition, ASM, Metals Park OH, 1990
- Martin Grayson (ed.), Encyclopaedia of composite materials and components, John Wiley and sons, NY, 1983
- Other texts, peer-reviewed journals and websites as advised during lectures.
Unit Content
One topic is delivered per contact week, except for part-time 24-week units, where one topic is delivered every two weeks.
Topic 1
Introduction
- Introduction to Materials Engineering
- Materials universe
- Evolution of materials,
- Classification of materials: metals, ceramics, and polymers.
Topic 2
Structure and Classification of Materials
- Interatomic bonding,
- Crystalline and non-crystalline materials,
- Crystal structures,
- Crystalline solids and hard sphere models, concept of unit cell,
- Calculation of theoretical density,
- Packing factor, defects in crystalline solids
Topic 3
Mechanical Properties of Materials
- Mechanical properties
- Introduction to tensile test
- Tensile properties, engineering and true values of stress and strain
- Tensile strength and yield strength
- Young’s Modulus, poison’s ratio
- Hardness, hardness test
- Introduction to plasticity of metals
Topic 4
Failure Mechanisms
- Mechanical failure
- Fracture and fracture mechanics
- Flaw theory
- Fatigue of engineering materials
- Goodman’s theory
- Creep and relaxation
Topic 5
Metals and Alloys
- Metal alloys
- Structure and properties of iron-based alloys
- Stainless steel and cast irons
- Carbon equivalence
- Aluminium alloys
- Copper alloys
- Titanium and refractory materials
Topic 6
Phase Diagrams and Iron-Carbon System
- Phase diagrams
- Binary systems
- Application of lever rule
- Iron-carbon system
- Time-temperature transformation
Topic 7
Strengthening of Metals
- Strengthening of metals
- Solid solution strengthening
- Heat treatment and grain size reduction
- Cold working
- Precipitation hardening
- Diffusion with case studies
Topic 8
Corrosion and Degradation
- Corrosion and degradation of materials
- Types and mechanisms of corrosion
- Electrochemical corrosion and EMF series
- Uniform corrosion
- Galvanic corrosion
- Crevice and pitting corrosion
- Prevention against corrosion
- Metallic and non-metallic coatings
- Selection of materials
- Catholic protection with case studies
Topic 9
Thermal and Electrical Properties of Materials
- Thermal properties of materials
- Thermal conductivity
- Heat capacity, temperature effects of heat capacity
- Thermal expansion
- Electrical properties of materials
- Conductivity, resistivity, temperature effects on electrical properties
- Effect of composition on electrical properties
- Effect of atomic structure and cold work
Topic 10
Ceramics
- Ceramics
- Structure of ceramics
- Hard sphere model of ceramics and coordination number
- Mechanical properties of ceramics
- Modulus or rupture, flexural strength
- Applications and modifications of ceramics with case studies
Topic 11
Polymers
- Classification of polymers
- Common polymer molecules
- Molecular weight (size), shape and architecture of common polymers
- Crystallinity, mechanical properties of polymers
- Deformation mechanism of semi-crystalline polymers
- Deformation mechanism of elastomers
- Application of polymers with case studies
Topic 12
Future Materials and Sustainability
- Future engineering materials
- Smart materials
- Material economics
- Design and selection
- Development of new materials to reduce environmental effects and pollution
- Biomaterials
- Materials leading towards sustainability and case studies
Engineers Australia
The Australian Engineering Stage 1 Competency Standards for the Professional Engineer, approved as of 2013. This table is referenced in the mapping of graduate attributes to learning outcomes and via the learning outcomes to student assessment.
Stage 1 Competencies and Elements Competency |
|
1. |
Knowledge and Skill Base |
1.1 |
Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. |
1.2 |
Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline. |
1.3 |
In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. |
1.4 |
Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. |
1.5 |
Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline. |
1.6 |
Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline. |
2. |
Engineering Application Ability |
2.1 |
Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. |
2.2 |
Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools, and resources. |
2.3 |
Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. |
2.4 |
Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects. |
3. |
Professional and Personal Attributes |
3.1 |
Ethical conduct and professional accountability. |
3.2 |
Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. |
3.3 |
Creative, innovative, and pro-active demeanor. |
3.4 |
Professional use and management of information. |
3.5 |
Orderly management of self and professional conduct. |
3.6 |
Effective team membership and team leadership. |
Software/Hardware Used
Software
- Software: N/A
- Version: N/A
- Instructions: N/A
- Additional resources or files: N/A
Hardware
- N/A
Unit Changes Based on Student Feedback
- Assessment due dates were adjusted to decrease the overload in some weeks.
- Assessment 1 was converted from a standalone assessment to weekly quiz format.