Techniques of Materials Characterization

Recommended Prerequisites

BSc in Engineering, Chemistry or Physics.

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

Acquire skills in material characterization techniques to select the most appropriate technique (s) for a particular purpose. For this purpose, the concept of Materialography is introduced, describing the material preparation techniques according to the type of material and the analysis technique to be used. Subsequently, the fundamentals and basic concepts of a set of material analysis techniques are discussed, as well as the principles of operation of the associated equipment and their main applications. Students will have access to different equipment available at FCTUC as well as at other Research Centers outside the University of Coimbra. The specific skills acquired in this unit are very useful in the course of the research work to prepare the dissertation.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

Material preparation techniques. Surface roughness evaluation: profilometry and infinite focus optical microscopy. Thermal analysis techniques: thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, differential thermal analysis, dilatometry and dynamic thermomechanical analysis. 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.

Assessment Methods

Continuous assessment
Synthesis work: 40.0%
Frequency: 60.0%

Final assessment
Exam: 100.0%

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.