Home | Research projects | Courses and modules | 1. semester - University of Leeds, UK

Course Overview

Module objectives

The objective of this module are: to apply a knowledge gained of the processing-microstructure-property relationship to the design of alloys for structural applications; to illustrate the state-of-the-art in some conventional structural alloys and show how research has, and continues, to inform the design of these materials; to develop the student's understanding of this process and provide an opportunity for them to carry this out in designing an alloy to a properties brief.

Knowledge outcome

On completion of this module students should:

• understand the principles of physical metallurgy and their application to the design of alloys for engineering applications;
• understand the historical development of metals and alloys to satisfy the needs of different industrial sectors;
• understand the traditional limitations on the properties which may be obtained in particular metals and how metallurgists may seek to circumvent these;
• be able to recognise and interpret microstructures in a range of metals and alloys and account for their development;
• understand the exploitation of the process-microstructure-properties relationship in the design of structural alloys with an appropriate combination of properties;
• understand the basis of the designation of engineering alloys in different systems and the equivalence between these;
• be able to select an appropriate alloy and processing route for a particular application;
• be able to design an alloy, and attendant processing route, to satisfy a design brief consisting of a set of property requirements;
• be aware of current research developments in metallurgy in the conventional structural metals sector and its potential impact on design and technology;
• survey and critically evaluate scientific literature.

Outline syllabus

• Foundations of physical metallurgy: phase diagrams and phase equilibria; metallic crystal structures and microstructure; mechanical properties, deformation and strengthening mechanisms.
• Ferrous metallurgy: carbon and nitrogen in steel - solubility, ordering, carbide precipitation; strain ageing; microalloyed steels; grain size, shape, stability; control of grain size; application of ferrous metallurgy principles to alloy design; inclusions in steel; case studies in carbon steels; low alloy steels; maraging; ausformed and TRIP steels; stainless steels; welding and weldability; cast irons.
• Non-ferrous metallurgy: the light metals - alloy designation and physical metallurgy of cast and wrought aluminium, magnesium and titanium alloys; mechanical properties, corrosion behaviour, fabrication, applications; superalloys-classification, physical metallurgy, mechanical properties, processing, application; copper alloys-characteristics of phase diagrams, physical metallurgy, properties of pure Cu, brasses, bronzes and monels; precious metals-gold, silver, platinum, palladium; lead; tin and zinc alloys.

Monitoring of student progress:

• On-line tests and in class tests
• Project work
• 1 written examination

Partners

The key academic groups of TRIBOS consortium are leading and world renown in their own field of Tribology and Surface engineering. They are very complementary from point of view of surfaces, lubricants and interfaces, as well as engineering component design. Thus, their involvement in a single programme enables integration of the whole range of tribology sub-areas required for successful application solutions.