Course Title: Apply Basic Principles of Materials Science to Engineering Applications
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2011
Course Code: PROC5230
Course Title: Apply Basic Principles of Materials Science to Engineering Applications
School: 130T Vocational Engineering
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6069 - Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology
Course Contact: Program Manager
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4468
Course Contact Email: engineering-tafe@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Nominal Hours: 40
Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.
Pre-requisites and Co-requisites
None
Course Description
This unit of competency sets out the knowledge and skills required to apply basic principles of materials science to engineering problems applications. It involves testing of materials to evaluate the engineering properties of materials and includes the recognition of common materials used in engineering, the properties of materials and the factors that influence those properties.
National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria
National Element Code & Title: |
VBP263 Apply Basic Principles of Materials Science to Engineering Applications |
Element: |
Complete and document materials testing and evaluation task |
Performance Criteria: |
3.1 OH&S requirements for completing the work are followed. |
Element: |
Perform materials testing and evaluation task. |
Performance Criteria: |
OH&S requirements for carrying out the work are followed. |
Element: |
Prepare for materials testing and evaluation task |
Performance Criteria: |
1.1 OH&S and environmental requirements for a given work area are obtained and understood. |
Learning Outcomes
Complete and document materials testing and evaluation task
Perform materials testing and evaluation task.
Prepare for materials testing and evaluation task
Details of Learning Activities
The total number of scheduled hours of teaching, learning and assessment involved in this course includes all planned activities
Teaching Schedule
Session | Topic Content Delivery Including Learning activities |
Performance Criteria | Assessment task |
1 | Overview of Classification of Materials • Review of Material Classes • Metals and non-metals, ferrous and non-ferrous metals • Thermosetting, thermoplastic and elastomeric polymers • Composite materials • Ceramic materials • Biomaterials • Advanced Materials Solve problems Chapter 1 Introduction to Materials Science |
1 | Test scheduled for session 11 |
1 | Determine Structure of Materials • Solids, liquids and gases, atomic structure, periodic table, chemical bonding, crystal structures, development of grain structures Solve problems Chapter 2 Introduction to Materials Science |
1, 2, 3 | Test scheduled for session 11 |
2 | Determine Properties of Materials • Physical Properties: Electrical conductivity/resistivity, specific gravity/density, thermal conductivity/ expansion, specific heat, melting/boiling points • Mechanical Properties: Strength- yield, tensile, compressive, torsion, flexural, hardness, impact properties, elasticity, plasticity, ductility, malleability, fatigue, and creep. Solve problems Chapter 3 Introduction to Materials Science |
1, 2, 3 | Test scheduled for session 11 |
3 | Calculate Stress and Strain Behaviour of Materials • Determine Stress: yield, proof, ultimate, breaking • Determine Strain • Determine Modulus of Elasticity Solve problems Chapter 4 Introduction to Materials Science |
1, 2, 3 | Test scheduled for session 11 |
3 | Perform Tensile Testing of Materials • Draw graph of results from Tensile Testing • Calculate behaviour of ductile and brittle materials to tensile forces • Perform Hardness and Impact testing Solve problems Chapter 4 Introduction to Materials Science |
1, 2, 3 | Test scheduled for session 11 |
3 | Research assignment | 1, 2, 3 | You will research and produce a typical engineering report regarding a specific material utilised in engineering manufacturing |
4 | Perform Laboratory Practical #1, Mechanical testing and Heat Treatment of Steel | 1, 2, 3 | You will perform a laboratory practical investigation using heat treatment to alter the mechanical behaviour of carbon steels. You will then write a typical scientific report on your investigation, presenting results and discussing your analysis and conclusions |
5 | Determine Chemical Properties of Materials • Corrosion and Oxidation of metals • Degradation of polymers Solve problems Chapter 5 Introduction to Materials Science |
1, 2, 3 | Test scheduled for session 11 |
5 | Specify Applications of Ferrous Metals to Industrial Applications • Plain Carbon and Alloy Carbon steels • Cast irons Solve problems Chapter 6 Introduction to Materials Science |
1, 2, 3 | Test scheduled for session 11 |
6 | Specify Applications of Non-Ferrous Metals to Industrial Applications • Aluminium, Copper, Nickel, Zinc, Titanium, Magnesium, and their respective metals alloys • Refractory metals Solve problems Chapter 7 Introduction to Materials Science |
1, 2, 3 | Test scheduled for session 11 |
7 | Specify Applications of Polymers to Industrial Applications • Thermosetting ,Thermoplastic and Elastomeric polymers • Polymerisation • Manufacturing processes • Applications Solve problems Chapter 8 Introduction to Materials Science |
1, 2, 3 | Test scheduled for session 11 |
8 | Specify Applications of Ceramic Materials to Industrial Applications • Heavy clay products, Domestic ceramics, Electrical ceramics, Abrasives, Refractories, Glass, Glass Ceramics, Advanced ceramics • Manufacturing processes and applications Solve problems Chapter 9 Introduction to Materials Science |
1, 2, 3 | Test scheduled for session 11 |
8 | Specify and Evaluate Mechanical and Physical Properties of Composite Materials to Industrial Applications • Principles • Laminar, Particulate and Fibre Composites • Metal, Ceramic Matrix Composites • Applications Solve problems Chapter 10 Introduction to Materials Science |
1, 2, 3 | Test scheduled for session 11 |
9 | Perform Laboratory Practical #2, Perform Annealing and Recrystallisation of Work Hardened Brass to Evaluate Mechanical Properties by Hardness Testing and Optical Microscopy | 1, 2, 3 | You will perform a laboratory practical investigation using heat treatment to alter the mechanical behaviour of work hardened brass. You will then write a typical scientific report on your investigation, presenting results and discussing your analysis and conclusions |
10 | Determine Effects of Mechanical and Thermal Processes on the Properties of Materials • Hot and cold work • Grain growth • Recrystallisation Solve problems Chapter 11 Introduction to Materials Science |
1, 2, 3 | Test scheduled for session 11 |
10 | Determine Microstructure of Metals when Influenced by Thermal Fabrication Processes • Joining; soldering, brazing, welding • Difficulty in welding high carbon steels Solve problems Chapter 12 Introduction to Materials Science |
1, 2, 3 | Test scheduled for session 11 |
10 | Specify Non-Destructive Testing of Materials Methods for Industrial Applications • Visual • X-Ray • Ultrasonic • Dye penetrant • Magnetic particle • Eddy current Solve problems Chapter 13 Introduction to Materials Science |
1, 2, 3 | Test scheduled for session 11 |
11 | Unit Competency Test | 1, 2, 3 | This is an closed book test |
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
Workbook: PROC5230 (VBP263) Apply Basic Principles of Materials Science to Engineering Applications, available from RMIT Bookshop |
References
Other Resources
Student Network Drive ’S’-drive
S:\Mechanical and Manufacturing\PROC5230 Apply Basic Principles of Materials Science to Engineering Applications\George Zouev\
Overview of Assessment
2 x Practical laboratory reports
1 x End of course exam
Assessment Tasks
Assessment 1 – Research Assignment
This assessment will focus on your ability to research and write a standard technical report focusing on the following criteria:
Locating (finding)
Once the purpose, scope and requirements of the assignment have been defined, the process of locating relevant resource material begins. This involves:
• identifying what to look for and where to find it
• determining search terms and research parameters
• consulting library catalogues, databases, bibliographies, search engines, recommended texts, knowledgeable experts
• considering a range of sources, including books, journals, websites, people, images
• collecting and managing resources
• recording all relevant bibliographical details.
Selecting (sifting/choosing)
The information collated during the location stage may generate a redefinition or refocusing of the research project. Selection and evaluation of resources takes place to a certain extent during the location stage, but it is often better to collect more information than you need, at least initially. Careful evaluation of the assembled resources is necessary to ensure they are appropriate, authoritative and relevant. Selecting resources involves:
• identifying the source of the information
• focusing on the assignment topic to determine the objectivity, accuracy, currency, suitability and academic merit of the information
• skimming and scanning resources to sort information into categories
• taking brief notes and observing how different sources may relate to one another
• identifying questions or areas which may require further research
• establishing which are your principal and supplementary resource materials.
Organising (sorting/structuring)
This step of the research process requires a more detailed reading of the resource material and the development of a structure for the assignment. Here, the skills of notetaking and arranging information are necessary, as is:
• keeping your notes focused on the topic
• writing in your own words
• sorting information into categories
• considering how various elements of the topic connect to one another
• establishing a detailed plan or outline of the assignment
• developing an argument
• integrating sources and quotations effectively.
Presenting (synthesising/communicating)
Following the plan established in the organising stage, the task now is to write the assignment. Presentation of the research entails:
• pulling all the information together
• checking that information relates to the original question
• considering the sequence in which the information is arranged
• drafting and editing the assignment
• considering the purpose and audience for the assignment
• writing concisely, clearly and accurately
• proofreading
• following all appropriate academic conventions.
Evaluating (reflecting)
Although many people consider the research process to be over as soon as the assignment is submitted, it is important to reflect on what has taken place, in order to consider what has been learnt and improve next time. The evaluation stage involves:
• thinking about performance at each step of the process
• analysing how research skills or techniques could be improved
• reflecting on knowledge gained
• considering how this knowledge may be applied in other contexts.
The process of researching is iterative: this means that what you find will help determine what more you need to do. You will find that you collect information, think about it, return to it, discard it, add to it in the process of developing your response to an assignment topic. This process involves organising your approach.
This component will have a weighting of 10% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 2 – Laboratory Practical 1: Mechanical Testing and the Heat Treatment of Steel.
This assessment will focus on your ability to perform experimental work, record resultant data, observe outcomes, perform calculation and produce a report. This will involve the following criteria:
• Always take the view that you are writing it for people other than yourself and so make it simple, attractive, and readable by others.
• Your report must be concise and in your own words.
Typical elements of a good report are:
1. Objective, purpose, or goal of the experiment or activity – a title!
2. Equipment used. Name and identify what you will need or use to accomplish your goal.
3. Brief outline of procedure to be followed in your own words.
4. Collect data and display either in tabular or graphical form. You may attach your raw data separately to your report but your final table or graph must be in a clean form to be seen by others.
5. Analyze data. What do those numbers mean? How to interpret the graph(s)?
6. Calculations. Show your calculations clearly. Be mindful of the accuracy – significant figures, percent error etc.
7. Conclusions. What have you learned from this experiment or activity? How well was the goal met? How reliable is your result? What further predictions can you make based on your findings? How do you account for any inaccuracies and how do you propose to remedy these if possible?
This laboratory practical will have a weighting of 10% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 3 – Laboratory Practical 2: Annealing and Recrystallisation of Work Hardened Brass
As per assessment 2.
This laboratory practical will have a weighting of 10% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 4 – Final Test (closed book)
This assessment will focus on your ability to:
1. Prepare for materials testing and evaluation task, 2. Perform materials testing and evaluation task and
3. Complete and document materials testing and evaluation task.
It will require you utilise the underpinning skills and knowledge that has been demonstrated in the previous 10 sessions in your classroom and laboratory. You will be required to identify appropriate materials suitable for engineering applications, describe the classification of materials, describe the properties of materials and describe the factors that influence those properties to adequately demonstrate this competency’s elements.
The test consists of short answer questions and you will be required to perform calculations applicable to determining the strength of materials and be able to draw and identify graphs applicable in the determination of the strength of materials.
This test will have a weighting of 70% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment Matrix
Competency / Module | Assessment 1 10% |
Assessment 2 10% |
Assessment 3 10% |
Assessment 4 70% |
Performance Criteria 1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Performance Criteria 2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Performance Criteria 3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Course Overview: Access Course Overview