Advanced Metallurgy

Core modules:

Engineering Alloys

This module covers engineering metallic alloys ranging from alloy steels, stainless steels, light alloys (i.e. aluminium alloys and titanium alloys) and high temperature metallic systems (intermetallics and nickel superalloys). The module centres on the physical metallurgy of such engineering alloys to demonstrate the effect of alloying and implications for the processing, microstructure and performance of structural components in a range of industrial sectors, but predominantly the automotive and aerospace sectors.

15 credits

Science of Materials

This module introduces key concepts involved in materials science to cover general aspects and applications of metallic, polymeric and inorganic materials. Topics covered include: chemical bonding; basic crystallography of crystalline materials; crystal defects; mechanical properties and strength of materials; phase diagrams and transformations; overviews of metals and alloys; polymers and inorganic solids. Lectures will be supplemented with laboratory exercises based on: construction of a binary phase diagram; crystallography; health and safety regulations in the workplace.

15 credits

Materials Processing and Characterisation

This module introduces the processes and technologies involved in the production of metals, polymers, ceramics and composites and the experimental methods used to characterise these materials.
Processing topics include powder processing, thermomechanical processing and polymer and composites processing. Characterisation topics include X-ray, neutron and electron diffraction, light and electron optics, analytical scanning and transmission electron microscopy, thermal analysis, spectroscopic methods (e.g. Infra-red, Raman, NMR, XANES) and advanced chemical analysis. Lectures will be supplemented with exercises and an assessment on the processing part of the module.

15 credits

Practical, Modelling and Digital Skills

This module develops your skills in three linked areas:

(a) materials characterisation laboratory skills including safe methods of working, completion of COSHH and risk assessments, and measurements using a range of practical techniques
(b) the use of computers for data handling and analysis together with an introduction to modelling (using packages such as Excel and MATLAB) and analysis together with an introduction to finite element modelling (using packages such as ANSYS)
(c) the skills needed to search for scientific literature as well as technical skills for presenting data, including how to avoid plagiarism, referencing, formatting documents, drawing high quality graphs, critically reviewing literature and giving presentations.

15 credits

Metallurgical Processing

This module examines three areas of materials engineering where significant improvement in performance in-service can be obtained via their use. First, the module provides an introduction to the processes and technologies involved in the production of steel, aluminium, and titanium Secondly, methodologies of how microstructure can be significantly improved via thermomechanical processing are investigated and aims to build insight into the operation and capabilities of thermomechanical processing techniques. Finally, this module will describe in detail the underlying engineering principles of plastic forming and focus on some of the main metallic production techniques such as extrusion, rolling and wire drawing. 

15 credits

Deformation, Fracture and Fatigue

Deformation, fracture and fatigue are important mechanical phenomena in both metals processing and use. The role of dislocations in and the effects of microstructural features on the plastic deformation of metals is initially explored. Consideration of fracture starts with linear elastic fracture mechanics including the Griffith equation and Irwin stress intensity factors. The effects of plasticity effects on fracture in metals including plastic zones at crack tips and cyclical fatigue are considered in some detail. Both total lifetime approaches and damage tolerance approaches to fatigue are considered. 

15 credits

Advanced Materials Manufacturing: Part I

This module covers a range of advanced materials manufacturing techniques that are either widely used or emerging in industry. Techniques include additive layer manufacturing, electron beam welding, superplastic forming, lithium battery manufacturing and advanced machining approaches. In addition, non-destructive evaluation techniques to ensure high levels of manufacturing integrity will be described. 

15 credits

Heat and Materials with Application

This module examines both the transfer of heat to/from materials and thermally activated processes that occur during the manufacture of materials due to the transfer of heat into materials. There is also some consideration of the effects of heat during use. Thus conduction, convection and radiative heat transfer, on their own and in combination are considered, followed by an examination of diffusion (Fick's laws) and sintering (solid state, liquid phase and viscous glass sintering). Finally creep phenomena are considered. The case study part of the module has a twofold aim. Firstly, it is designed to simulate the kind of team work that could be required of you in industry. They aim to increase your knowledge of processing and applications of engineering materials, and your ability to work in a group to cooperate and collaborate efficiently and effectively. Secondly, they are designed to highlight some of the critical issues for processing of materials from both a materials and engineering systems point of view.

15 credits

Project

The research project and dissertation is supervised by one or, in some instances, two members of academic staff. Project supervisors are allocated based both on student choice and academic workload.The topic of the research project will be set in consultation with your project supervisor. Laboratory or modelling work on the project will formally be undertaken during the Second Semester (including the Spring vacation period) and during the summer vacation between about mid-June and mid-August.

60 credits