Chapters of Materials Engineering (FSI-0ME)

The aim of the course “Chapters of Materials Engineering” is to bridge the knowledge gap between graduates of bachelor’s programs in materials engineering and those from other disciplines, and to prepare all students for successful completion of master’s level studies in the field.

Another objective is to provide students with advanced knowledge in experimental techniques for observing and evaluating material structures and for determining local mechanical properties.

The course builds on knowledge acquired in the bachelor’s program course Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, where students learned the relationship between material structure and its properties, including the definition of material strength for both metallic and non-metallic materials.

The course “Chapters of Materials Engineering” is designed to provide students with essential supplementary knowledge for master’s studies in materials engineering and to familiarize them with the laboratory techniques required for completing seminars and, in particular, final theses. It is primarily intended for graduates of general bachelor’s programs outside the field of materials engineering, though it is open to all students in the program.

Throughout the course, students are introduced to laboratory techniques not only at a conceptual level but with a strong emphasis on practical proficiency, enabling them to work independently with the equipment during their studies.

Lectures are optional, while practical exercises are generally required. At the end of the semester, students showcase their acquired knowledge and skills in a colloquium, including a demonstration of their practical abilities. Assessment is conducted according to the ECTS grading scale, based on the level of competence demonstrated.

Thematic areas of the lectures:

1) Introduction to laboratory techniques, basics of laboratory work, system, documentation, evaluation
2) Metallography, light microscopy
3) Electron Microscopy (SEM)
4) Hardness measurement (according to Brinell, Rockwell, Vickers)
5) Local mechanical characteristics (microhardness, scratch test, nanoindentation)
6) Thermal Analysis (DSC)

Laboratory exercises (topics):

1) Introduction to IMSE laboratories - lab tour
2) Metallographic laboratory - preparation of samples, division on metallographic cut-off machines, cold and hot sample mounting, grinding, polishing, etching
3) Light microscopy - setting up the microscope, and working with software for microstructure documentation and measurement options.
4) Hardness measurement (Brinell, Rockwell, Vickers methods), sample preparation, setting, selection of load, evaluation
5) Local mechanical characteristics
-hardness using low load and microhardness - Vickers indenter,
-scratch test and instrumented hardness tests (nanoindentation)
basic equipment operation, basic and advanced measurements, analysis of obtained results
6) Thermal analysis (DSC) - basic identification with the device, preparation of miniature samples, measurement settings, and evaluation of analytical results.

As part of the subject, at the end of the semester, the students themselves demonstrate the acquired skills, especially concerning the courses (3 to 5).

ASM INTERNATIONAL. ASM handbook. Volume 9, Metallography and Microstructures. Materials Park, Ohio: ASM International, 2004. ISBN 0-87170-706-3.

GOLDSTEIN, Joseph I; NEWBURY, Dale E; MICHAEL, Joseph R; RITCHIE, Nicholas W. M; SCOTT, John Henry J, et al. Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-Ray Microanalysis. Fourth edition. New York, NY: Springer Nature, 2018. ISBN 9781493966769.