30131 - Mechanical Metallurgy M

Learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to illustrate the mechanical behaviour of metallic materials, under different service conditions. Starting from the basic relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties, the main metallurgical aspects influencing the static and fatigue resistance, the low and high temperature behaviour, as well as the wear resistance, will be presented and discussed. The effects of the production technique, including solidification conditions, plastic deformation, heat treatment or surface engineering modifications, will be evidenced. The characteristics of the main engineering metallic materials will be presented, including: iron-based alloys, aluminium and titanium alloys, metal matrix composites. By the end of this course one should have the ability to select the material and the processing conditions more suitable for the design and construction of reliable mechanical components.

Course contents

Plastic deformation of metals based on dislocations theory. Cold plastic deformation and strain hardening. Warm and hot working: recovery and recrystallization processes.

Overview of the innovative production processes of metals: Vacuum Arc Remelting, Electro-Slag remelting, Powder Metallurgy.

Extra-low carbon steels for cold forming: Interstitial Free e Bake Hardening steels. Carbon-manganese steels for structural applications and high strength low alloy steels (HSLA). Multi-phase advanced high strength steels: Dual-Phase (DP) and Transformation Induced Plasticity (TRIP) steels.

Special steels for highly stressed components. Hardenability of steels and tempering curves. Quenched and tempered steels. Springs and bearings steels. Tool steels. Bainitic steels. Maraging steels. Carburised, nitrided, carbonitrided and nitrocarburised steels.

Stainless steels.

Cast irons.

Aluminium alloys. Designation, alloying elements, strengthening mechanisms, heat treatments, microstructure, physical and mechanical properties, application fields.

Titanium alloys. 

Fatigue. The role of crystal structure and dislocation on fatigue failure. Metallurgical and mechanical aspects of fatigue. Main fatigue tests. The role of solidification defectes, heat treatment and surface modification techniques on fatigue strength. A short introduction to linear elastic fracture mechanics: stress intensity factor and fracture toughness. Case studies on fatigue failed components.

Tribology. The theory of friction and its control. Processes and mechanisms of wear of main mechanical components.

Case studies and criteria of materials selection. Case studies of failure are presented and discussed to explain the correct choice of materials, depending on the type of mechanical component and its operating conditions.

A video-presentation of the teaching is available through the Links to further information, at the bottom of the page.

Readings/Bibliography

Electronic teaching materials prepared by the teacher are provided. All lecture slides are made available to students in advance through the University's Virtuale e-learning platform as password-protected PDF files.

For each topic covered, the lecture slides include a list of recommended references, available online or through the University of Bologna libraries, as well as a glossary of the main technical terms in both Italian and English.

Teaching methods

The course is primarily delivered through classroom lectures.

The following complementary learning activities are also offered:

• Case studies illustrating many of the topics covered during the lectures.
• Laboratory visits to the Metallurgy Laboratory, where students are introduced to the main equipment and experimental techniques used for the microstructural, mechanical, and fractographic characterization of metallic materials.
• Optional seminars delivered by experts from industry on topics related to the course syllabus.

Regular attendance is strongly recommended, as the key concepts that form the basis of the examination questions are repeatedly discussed and reinforced throughout the lectures.

 

Assessment methods

Assessment Methods

Assessment is based on a final oral examination consisting of at least two questions, designed to evaluate the student's understanding of the fundamental concepts covered during the course.

The examination specifically aims to assess the achievement of the following learning outcomes:

1. Knowledge of the main structural metallic materials widely used in engineering applications and discussed during the course.
2. Understanding of the relationships between chemical composition, manufacturing processes, heat treatment or surface engineering, and the resulting static mechanical, fatigue, and tribological behaviour of metallic materials.
3. Ability to select the most appropriate metallic material and the corresponding heat or surface treatment to meet specific engineering service requirements.

The final grade is awarded on a 30-point scale and is based on the following assessment criteria:

• Knowledge and understanding of the course contents: 35%
• Ability to apply knowledge and integrate different course topics: 30%
• Critical thinking and independent judgement: 20%
• Appropriate use of technical terminology and clarity of presentation: 15%

A minimum grade of 18/30 is required to pass the examination. In cases of outstanding performance, 30 cum laude may be awarded.

The examination schedule is published in advance on the AlmaEsami online platform of the University of Bologna. Students wishing to take the examination must register for the selected examination session through AlmaEsami and present a valid form of identification on the day of the examination.

Working Students and Student Athletes

For each examination session, students officially recognized by the University as working students or student athletes may request an alternative examination date in place of one of the regular examination sessions.

Requests must be submitted to the course instructor at least 14 days before the first scheduled examination date of the session, in order to arrange a common alternative date whenever possible.

Students with Disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with permanent or temporary disabilities or specific learning disorders (SLD) are encouraged to contact the University's dedicated support service as early as possible:

https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it

The support service will assess individual needs and, where appropriate, propose reasonable accommodations. Any proposed accommodations must be submitted to the course instructor at least 15 days before the examination for approval, taking into account the learning objectives of the course.

Academic Integrity

In accordance with the Code of Ethics of the University of Bologna, students are expected to comply with the highest standards of academic integrity.

Any attempt to obtain an unfair advantage during examinations—including cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized access to online teaching materials, or the use of unauthorized artificial intelligence tools—is strictly prohibited.

Students are reminded that the mere possession of unauthorized materials or electronic devices during the examination will result in the immediate invalidation of the examination and referral to the appropriate University authorities.

Violations of these regulations may result in disciplinary proceedings and, where applicable, referral to the competent legal authorities if the conduct constitutes a criminal offence.

Teaching tools

The lessons are based on the use of slides (available on the VIRTUALE repository, before each lesson), a traditional blackboard or tablet, and video for teaching support. Attendance is recommended for a better learning of fundamental concepts.

Visits to the Metallurgy laboratory are proposed (tools and methods for the microstructural and mechanical characterization and the metal failure analysis).

Any tools for students with disabilities can be agreed with the DSA Student Service of UNIBO (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it/per-studenti.

Links to further information

https://youtu.be/J5xFC6dP7qw

Office hours

See the website of Lorella Ceschini