66685 - Metallurgy with Exercises

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has knowledge about:

• physical, chemical and mechanical properties of metals and alloys
• the basic characterization techniques for metallic materials  
• materials selection criteria based on design requirements.

Course contents

Prerequisites

• Basic mathematics skills (differential equation, integral calculus)
• Basic concepts of physics (forces, thermodynamic etc.)
• Basic chemistry principles
• Phase diagrams

Mechanical testing and properties: tensile, hardness, fatigue, impact, creep, friction and wear

Solidification microstructures and defects: nucleation and growth of pure metals and alloys. Influence of solidification microstructure and defects on mechanical properties

Crystal structure and imperfections in the atomic arrangement: main crystal structures of metals and their effect on mechanical properties. Point defects and atom movements in materials (diffusion).

Dislocations and theory of plastic deformation

Strengthening mechanisms of metals: solid solution, strain hardening, grain refinement, precipitation and dispersion.

Alloys and binary phase diagrams. The Fe-C phase diagram: Equilibrium microstructures of steels.

Designation and classification of steels

Phase transformation in steels: TTT and CCT curves.

Heat treatments of steels: annealing, normalizing, quenching, tempering.

Thermochemical diffusion treatments (carburizing, nitriding) for the enhancement of friction/wear and fatigue properties.

Cast Irons: (white, grey and ductile). Designations, macro and microstructures, properties and applications. 

Aluminum alloys: main alloying elements, designation, microstructures, thermal treatments and mechanical properties.

Microstructural and fractographic analyses of metals

Selection criteria of metals as a function of the service conditions.

Readings/Bibliography

Course material (slides and notes in Italian).

S.Barella, A. Gruttadauria, “Metallurgia e Materiali non metallici”, Eusculapio

A. Cigada, T. Pastore "Struttura e proprietà dei materiali metallici", Mc-Graw Hill

W. Nicodemi “Metallurgia - Principi generali”, Zanichelli

G.M. Paolucci, “Appunti dalle lezioni di Metallurgia per la laurea in Ingegneria Meccanica” Vol.1-2, Edizioni Libreria Progetto, Padova

Donald R. Askeland, P Webster "The science and engineering of materials", Chapman & Hall

W.D. Callister, “Scienza e ingegneria dei materiali. Una introduzione”, Edises (2007).

W.F.Smith, J.Hashemi, “Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali” McGrawHill

Teaching methods

Class or on-line lectures according to the timetable.

Assessment methods

The final examination consists of a written test (45 minutes on the EOL website) and a oral examination, aiming at assessing if the student learned how (i) to select metallic materials and treatments for producing mechanical components that work in a given service condition and how (ii) to identify the reasons for malfunctioning related to material features.

The exam could be partially modified if the COVID-19 pandemic made it necessary. 

Teaching tools

PC and projector, blackboard.

The teaching material will be available on the website VIRTUALE.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Morri