Structure and Properties of Materials

Code:

M.EMAT008

Acronym:

EPM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Science and Technology of Materials

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Metallurgy, Materials and Technological Processes Section
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Materials Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
M.EMAT	0	Syllabus	1	-	6	52	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

The aim of curricular this unit is to introduce the concept of crystal, to explain the relationship between the crystal structure, the defects and the mechanical properties of monocrystals and polycrystals. Through the study of phase transformation crystallography and microstructure formation processes, students will be able to acquire the essential knowledge of material science and thus use the relationship between structure and properties to design and modify engineering materials.

Learning outcomes and competences

After attending this curricular unit, students should be able to:

Classify the engineering materials.

Understand the process-microstructure-property relationship.

Know the impact of the crystalline structure on materials properties.

Know the main route for materials processing and understand their effect on microstructure.

Describe the influence of external conditions on materials behavior:  cracks, temperature and cyclic loads.

Be able to select different approaches to modify the microstructure in order to get the desired properties.

Know how to improve materials performance and increase creep and fatigue life-time.

Suggest testing methodologies for the characterization of different  materials

Through laboratory work and report writing, the students can develop their skills in teamwork and communication of scientific results, written and oral.

Working method

Presencial

Program

Crystalline structures. X-ray diffraction.

Crystalline defects: point and, linear - dislocations and plastic deformation. Planar defects.

Mechanical behavior of monocrystals and polycrystals.

Solid state diffusion, diffusion mechanisms, diffusion velocity and composition profiles. The diffusion in the processing of materials.

Phase diagrams. Phases Rule. Binary and ternary diagrams. Cooling curves and microstructures. Analysis of important diagrams.

Solidification: nucleation, solidification of pure metals and alloys. Solidification structures.

Solid state phase transformations: nucleation and growth. Kinetics.

Hardening mechanisms: deformation, solid solution, grain size and precipitation.

Influence of annealing on material processing. Restoration, recrystallization and grain growth.

Fracture: morphology of fracture surfaces. Fragile and ductile fracture. Stress intensity factor. Fracture toughness.
Fatigue. Creep.

Mandatory literature

Wendelin Wright and Donald Askeland; The Science and Engineering of Materials, Enhanced Edition, CL Engineering, 2021. ISBN: 978-0357447864

Complementary Bibliography

Robert W. Cahn; Physical metallurgy. ISBN: 0-444-89875-1

Comments from the literature

Students will also have access to presentations prepared by teachers

Teaching methods and learning activities

The teaching is based on lectures, solving exercises, and discussion of case studies. Videos and simulations will be used to demonstrate and complement some of the lecture topics. To deepen students’ knowledge and improve the understanding of the strategies to increase materials strength and prevent failure, students do literature reviews on syllabus contents and discuss case studies in class.

In laboratory classes, students research a subject related to the classes topics, propose a project and execute the experimental work necessary for their development. The results of the project and their discussion will be presented in a written report and discussed in class.

The assessment is based on the classifications the laboratory work (including written report, oral presentation and discussion of the results) and tests grade

keywords

Technological sciences > Engineering > Materials engineering
Technological sciences > Engineering > Mechanical engineering > Metalurgia Metallurgy

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Defesa pública de dissertação, de relatório de projeto ou estágio, ou de tese	40,00
Teste	60,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	48,00
Estudo autónomo	52,00
Frequência das aulas	52,00
Elaboração de projeto	10,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

FEUP general rules for attending practical classes.
Assessment of practical classes above 9 points.

Calculation formula of final grade

Final grade= 0.6 of the tests grades + 0.4 of the overall grade of the practical work.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

Take an exam and carry out a practical laboratory work whose results should be presented in a written report.

Classification improvement

Take an exam to replace the previous grade.

Observations

UC has only one student enrolled this academic year. Taking into account that this student attended UC last year, it was decided that the theoretical-practical classes would take place on a tutorial basis.
On the contrary, practical laboratory classes will be attended again.