MAT1730   Introduction to Materials Engineering for Aerospace   (20 credits)

Description

The first part of this module introduces the idea of materials selection using Ashby diagrams. The importance of different material properties (strength, density, melting point) will be considered. This will lead to a discussion of various methods of processing and the reasons for different processing technologies and will also compare (cost, environmental implications) of different processing routes, including new/innovative processing. The relation between properties, product performance and processing will be emphasised. The second part of the module introduces the mechanics and microstructures of materials with reference to aerospace applications including: (1) Meaning of stress and strain, Mohr's circle, test methods and analysis (2) Importance of length-scales: macro, meso and atomic (3) Metallic crystal structures; defects and dislocations; grain boundaries (4) Links between microstructures and material properties.

Reading List