Techniques of Materials Characterization

Recommended Prerequisites

Graduation/B.Sc. in engineering, physics or chemistry

Teaching Methods

Lectures: oral presentations using audiovisual media. The theoretical concepts will be accompanied and illustrated with examples.

Theoretical-practical: demonstration sessions conducted by the lecturer in collaboration with graduated students.

Laboratory: preparation and characterization of samples aiming at producing a final report. Supervision of laboratory activities by the lecturer.

In all classes students’ proactive attitudes will be encouraged. Tutorial supervision while conducting experimental work outside of the course classes.

Learning Outcomes

The aim of this course is to provide skills in materials characterization techniques, enabling the students to select(s) the most suitable technique(s) in each case(s). For this purpose, the concept of Materialography is introduced and the preparation techniques are described, depending on the type of material and characterization techniques to be used. Subsequently, the course focuses on the fundamentals and basics of a set of techniques. The principles of operation of the equipments associated to the different techniques are also described, as well as the main applications. The students will have access to different equipments available in FCTUC. The unit will allow experimental capacity to be acquired and to develop the ability to carry out research work. The specific competences acquired in this unit will be extremely useful during the research work to obtain the Master degree in Materials Engineering.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Material preparation techniques. Roughness. Profilometry and infinite focus optical microscopy. Evaluation of surface area by nitrogen adsorption. Evaluation of particle size distribution and porosity by laser scattering and mercury porosimetry, respectively. Thermal analysis techniques: thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, differential thermal analysis, dilatometry and dynamic thermomechanical analysis. Surface analysis techniques: zeta potential. Tests for evaluating mechanical properties: tensile tests, bending tests, creep tests, fatigue tests, hardness tests (microhardness, ultramicrohardness and nanoindentation). The lectures will deal with the techniques and equipments fundamentals/basics, while demonstrations will be conducted in the practical classes. The laboratory component consists in the preparation of different samples and their characterization.

Head Lecturer(s)

Ana Paula da Fonseca Piedade

Assessment Methods

Continuous assessment
Laboratory work or Field work: 18.0%
Exam: 40.0%
Research work: 42.0%

Bibliography

Metallography Principles and Practice, G. Vander Voort, ASTM International (1999).

Metals Handbook – Vol.9, Metallography and Microstructures.

M.E. Brown, Introduction to Thermal Analysis – Techniques and applications. Chapman and Hall, Cambridge (UK), 1988.

W.D. Callister, Jr., Materials Science and Engineering – An Introduction, 7th Ed. John Wiley & Sons, USA, 2007. (Chapter 6 and 8).

J.M. Antunes and J.V. Fernandes, “Avaliação de Propriedades Mecânicas por Nanoindentação". In: Manual de Microfabricação, Vol.C1 Caracterização e Avaliação em Microfabricação, p.23-61, Marinha Grande, Centimfe, 2008.

Outra bibliografia poderá ser indicada/fornecida durante as aulas da disciplina/Other bibliographic materials may be provided/indicated during course classes.