MAT339   Failures and Case Study   (10 credits)

Description

This course introduces students to the general methodologies involved in carrying out a failure analysis. This will be achieved by formal lectures and failure analysis practicals. The course will also examine how improvements in design, manufacturing and inspection procedures can lead to failure prevention. Six lectures provide background to the case studies, which include two lectures from Rolls-Royce personnel, one from the librarian on literature searching and three on the material selection issues in gas turbine engines. In a period of five weeks each group (5-7 members per group) must investigate and write a 2000 word report on a topic specific to gas turbine engines (e.g. `Single Crystal Superalloy Blades). The report must include up-to-date references and thereby define the state-of-the-art, but also make a comment on future directions.

Reading List