2018-2019 / CHIM0248-1

Advanced ceramic materials : from design to use

Duration

25h Th

Number of credits

 Master in chemistry (120 ECTS)3 crédits 
 Master in chemistry (60 ECTS)3 crédits 

Lecturer

Rudi Cloots

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

1. Introduction
- definition: ceramics - refractory materials - composite materials
2. Powders: production methods
- extraction processes
- synthetic powders: precipitation - vapour phase reaction - sol-gel procedure.
- main characteristics (size distribution, morphology, degree of agglomeration, ...)
- consolidation process: grinding process - granulation - densification
3. Shaping procedures
4. Microstructural aspects
- sintering: sintering during solid phase (growth phenomenon) - sintering during liquid phase ("moulding" effect)
- fusion
5. The influence of microstructure on the physical properties - concepts of characterisation (morphology, grain size, density, porosity, ...)
- macro- and micro-cracking phenomena
- mechanical properties
- thermal properties: thermal expansion co-efficient - thermal conductivity
6. Structural ceramics
- oxides, carbides, nitrides, ...
7. Functional ceramics
- ferroelectrics, piezoelectrics, magnetics, super-conductors, ...

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

The aim of this course, "Advanced ceramic materials", is to use general concepts to give students an insight into research programmes in the development of new ceramic materials (and/or composites), whether structural or functional. Recent examples of the development of a particular type of material, designed for a particular purpose, will be presented and discussed during the course. These examples are mostly taken from the "Materials Research Bulletin", the monthly journal published by the Materials Research Society.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

This course is principally designed for students undertaking a 2nd degree in Chemical Sciences and graduate students enrolled in the DEA Sciences programme. There are, therefore, no prerequisites.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning)

The course takes place according to the availability of the enrolled students. 10 sessions of 1¿ hours are planned (including a short presentation by the students on the subject of their degree or DEA dissertation).

Recommended or required readings

A copy of the overheads used during the class will be distributed to enrolled students.

Assessment methods and criteria

The exam consists of a discussion with the lecturer during an interview at a time to be fixed in line with student's wishes. The exam is planned for the end of the academic year.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Rudi CLOOTS
Laboratoire de Chimie Inorganique Structurale, Institut de Chimie, Building B6,
Sart-Tilman B-4000 Liège
Phone : 04/366.34.36; fax : 04/366.34.13; e-mail: rcloots@ulg.ac.be