Introduction to Materials and Characterization

Recommended Prerequisites

General Chemistry; Analytical Chemistry; Organic Chemistry.

Teaching Methods

Considering the descriptive nature of this curricular unit, the lectures will be accompanied by several examples to improve the understanding of the matters.

This course also comprises a practical component, where demonstrations of the techniques for materials characterization and polymerization processes (hands-on) are foreseen, as well as the resolution of exercises and the use of databases for materials selection. With these approaches, it is expected that students consolidate and materialize the theoretical topics and be motivated to the taught matters and to proactive learning thereof.

Learning Outcomes

This course subject aims to give students a basic knowledge about the various types of materials - metals, ceramics and polymers, specifically in terms of their structure, properties, processing and/or synthesis, and applications. Moreover, the students should become familiar with various techniques for materials characterization in respect to granulometry and structural properties, as well as the thermal and mechanical behavior.

The theoretical/practical knowledge acquired will enable students to appropriately understand the solid materials used in different production sectors; thus, they will be in a privileged position to make the selection of materials for specific purposes.

Students will also develop generic skills: instrumental - analysis and synthesis, problems solving, decision; personal - critical thinking, understand the language of other specialists; and systemic - independent learning, practical application of theoretical knowledge.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Types of materials. Relation of their properties with the chemical bonds.

Crystal structures: Crystallographic systems; Lattice parameters; Miller indices; XRD.

Metallic materials: Solidification; Electrical and mechanical properties; Mechanical tests; Plastic deformation, hardening and recovery; Fracture; Fatigue; Processing; Alloys.

Ceramics: Crystalline structures; Silicates; Glasses; Electrical, mechanical and thermal properties; Processing. Imperfections and diffusion in crystalline solids: Defects and impurities; Diffusion mechanisms; SEM-EDS.

Polymeric Materials: Step-growth and chain-growth polymerizations; Polymerization processes; Molecular weights; Structural chemical analysis by FTIR; Thermal (DSC/TGA) and mechanical properties; Processing of thermoplastic/thermoset materials.

Selection of materials.

Characterization of granular materials: Samples preparation; Particle size distributions; Techniques for granulometric characterization and determination of density.

Head Lecturer(s)

Luísa Maria Rocha Durães

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Frequency: 100.0%

Bibliography

Smith, W.F. Princípios de Ciência e Engenharia de Materiais. McGraw-Hill, New York, 1998.

Callister, Jr., W.D.; Rethwisch, D.G. Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering: An Integrated Approach. 9th ed, John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey, 2015.

Newell, J. Essencials of Modern Materials Science and Engineering. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New Jersey, 2009.

Fried, J.R. Polymer Science and Technology. 3rd ed, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 2014.

Ebewele, R.O. Polymer Science and Technology. CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2000.

Stevens, M.P. Polymer Chemistry: An Introduction. 3rd ed, Oxford University Press, New York, 1999.

Allen, T. Particle Size Measurement  (Vol.1 and Vol.2). Kluwer Academic Publ., Dordrecht, 1999.

Webb, P.; Orr, C. Analytical Methods in Fine Particle Technology. Micromeritics Instrument Corp., Norcross, 1997.