Topic outline

  • BFF1113 ENGINEERING MATERIALS

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    This course introduces the fundamental concepts of engineering materials which includes the structure of materials, mechanical and physical properties of materials, binary phase diagrams, TTT diagram, heat treatment, applications and current developments of metal, polymer, ceramic, composite and advanced materials. Also, basic understanding on the environmental degradation of engineering materials.

    By the end of semester, students should be able to:

    1. Gain fundamental concepts on the classification of various engineering materials.

    2. Perform structure-property correlations for engineering materials based on the microstructures.

    3. Analyse binary phase diagrams, TTT diagram, cooling curve, and correlate with microstructures and properties.

    4. Evaluate the criteria in the selection of materials for sustainable engineering applications.




  • TOPIC 1: Introduction to Engineering Materials

    1.1 Materials in our daily life

    1.2 Historical development of materials

    1.3 Materials science and engineering

    1.4 Classification of materials


  • TOPIC 2: Atomic Structure and Crystal Structure

    2.1 Atomic structure and bonding

    2.2 Crystal structures and properties

    2.3 Crystalline and non-crystalline materials

    2.4 Imperfection in solids

  • TOPIC 3: Mechanical Properties of Materials

    3.1 Concepts of stress and strain

    3.2 Mechanical behavior

          3.2.1 Elastic deformation

          3.2.2 Plastic deformation

    3.3 Mechanical testings


  • TOPIC 4: Physical Properties of Materials

    4.1 Density
    4.2 Melting point
    4.3 Thermal properties
    4.4 Electrical properties
    4.5 Magnetic properties
    4.6 Optical properties

  • TOPIC 5: Failure and Fundamental of Fracture

    5.1 Fundamental of fracture

    5.2 Principle of fracture mechanics

    5.3 Factors of fracture

  • TOPIC 6: Metals and Alloys

    6.1 Types of metal alloys

           6.1.1 Ferrous metal

           6.1.2 Non-ferrous metal

    6.2 Application of metals

    6.3 Fabrication of metals

  • TOPIC 7: Phase Diagram

    7.1 Definitions and basic concepts

    7.2 Binary phase diagrams

           7.2.1 Binary isomorphous systems

           7.2.2 Binary eutectic systems

    7.3 The iron-carbon system

  • TOPIC 8: Ceramic Materials

    8.1 Types of ceramic

           8.1.1 Oxide ceramic

           8.1.2 Silicate ceramic

           8.1.3 Carbon-based ceramic

           8.1.4 Carbide ceramic

           8.1.5 Nitride ceramic

    8.2 Application of ceramics

    8.3 Fabrication of ceramics



  • TOPIC 9: Polymer Materials

    9.1 Types of polymer

           9.1.1 Thermoplastic

           9.1.2 Thermosetting

           9.1.3 Elastomer

    9.2 Application of polymers

    9.3 Fabrication of polymers


  • TOPIC 10: Composite Materials

    10.1 Introduction to composite materials

    10.2 Matrix phase

    10.3 Reinforcement phase

    10.4 Application of composites

    10.5 Fabrication of composites


  • TOPIC 11: Corrosion & Degradation of Materials

    11.1 Forms of corrosion in metals

    11.2 Passivation layer

    11.3 Corrosion prevention

    11.2 Degradation of polymers and ceramics

  • TOPIC 12: Environment and Sustainability

    12.1 Economic, environmental and societal considerations

    12.2 Recycling issue

    12.3 Materials of importance - biodegradable and biorenewable polymers