Performance of Engineering Materials

Learning Outcomes

• Washington Accord (V4) Summary of Graduate Attributes attained in this course:
  Part A: Polymers
   WA2 – Problem Analysis
   WA3 – Design/Development of Solutions
   WA4 – Investigation
   WA5 – Tool Usage
  Part B: Metals
   WA1 – Engineering Knowledge
   WA2 – Problem Analysis
   WA3 – Design/Development of Solutions
   WA4 – Investigation
   WA9 – Communication
  
  
• Course topics with Learning Outcomes (and Washington Accord (WA) and UC Graduate Attributes) identified.
  
  Part A: Polymers
  1. Correlation between chemical, structural and physical characteristics of metals and plastics necessary for appropriate material selection, design and processing
          1.1. Perform dynamic mechanical analysis as a method for experimentally determining thermomechanical parameters (WA4) (EIE3, EIE4)
          1.2. Apply basic modelling concepts of viscoelastic materials to predict time-dependent properties (WA5) (EIE3, EIE4)
          1.3. Understand the relationship between polymer processing and final part performance (WA2) (EIE3)
          1.4. Apply concepts of manufacture of polymers in mechanical designs (WA3)
  Part B: Metals
  2. Mechanical Properties and Testing; Linear elastic fracture mechanics; Fracture toughness testing; Ductile Brittle Transition; CVN-KIc Conversion; Fatigue: Introduction and definitions
          2.1. Understand material properties and test methods. Understand tensile properties and understand the basis for, and principles of, Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM) (WA1, WA2, WA4)
          2.2. Understand fracture toughness: Charpy V-notch (CVN); Plane strain fracture toughness (KIc); Size and temperature effects; CVN-KIc conversion (WA1, WA2, WA4)
  3. Trends in S-N curves, Mean Stresses; Application of LEFM to fatigue; Fatigue crack growth prediction; Environmental assisted crack growth; Plasticity in materials; Cyclic plasticity
          3.1. Understand fatigue thresholds and crack growth rate. Understand, model and predict plastic behaviour using Ramberg-Osgood and Neuber rule and understand Environment-assisted crack mechanisms and vulnerabilities (WA1, WA2, WA4) (EIE3, EIE4)
          3.2. Competently predict remaining life from Environment-assisted crack mechanisms (WA1, WA2)
  4. Stress-strain analysis: Bending, torsion, cyclic loading and notched members; Strain-based fatigue: Material behaviour, Life estimates for notched members; Creep: Life estimates.
          4.1. Understand stress corrosion threshold and crack growth rate. Understand creep phenomena and mechanisms and effectively apply LEFM to predict critical stress and critical crack length. (WA1, WA2, WA4) (EIE3)
          4.2. Competently predict fatigue life: using a stress-based approach, using LEFM-based approach, using the strain-based approach using the Coffin-Manson equation (WA1, WA2) (EIE3, EIE4)
          4.3. Competently predict creep life using the Larsen-Miller approach (WA1, WA2) (EIE3, EIE4)
          4.4. Able to develop and use Fracture Control Plans. Able to design for Leak-before Break in Pressure Vessels (WA1, WA2, WA3, WA10) (EIE3)

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

	Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
	Employable, innovative and enterprising Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

Prerequisites

For further information see Mechanical Engineering .