Physics of materials

Duration

26h Th, 26h Pr, 1d FW

Number of credits

Lecturer

Anne Mertens

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

The course is divided in two parts: one is dedicated to metallic materials and the other one describes the non-polymeric materials.
The part of the course dedicated to metallic materials adresses the following topics: Pure metals and perfect metallic crystals; Properties of perfect metallic crystals; Imperfections in crystallographic lattices; Alloys including notions of microstructures, solid solutions, intermetallic compounds, phase diagrams...; Mechanical properties of metals and metallic alloys; Thermal treatments including their effects on microstructures and mechanical properties of metallic alloys.
The part of the course dedicated to polymers contains the following chapters : Introduction to polymers; Types of polymers; Structural State; Glass transition temperature; Synthesis; Rheology (incl. the elasticity of rubbers); Gluing and Wettability; Mechanical properties. The specificity of the course is to explain the macroscopic behaviour of studied materials (mechanical properties, rheology, effect of temperature, transparency...) thanks to a focus on the microscopic state that is linked to thermodynamics (bonding energy, entropy, crystallinity, free Gibbs energy; structural state...) and other specific considerations (isomerism, geometry, chain length...).

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

For the part dedicated to metalic materials, the student should understand the peculiarities of the metallic materials, their origin and consequences. This includes:

• An in-depth understanding of binding mechanisms, the thermodynamics (phase diagrams...), the constitution of the metallic crystalline lattice and their implications on deformation mechanisms in metals.
• A in-depth knowledge of the mechanisms underlying the influence of alloying elements (notions of solid solutions, intermetallic compounds...) on properties of metallic alloys, and of the ways in which thermal treatments may modify these influences.
• An understanding of the principles controlling the macroscopic properties of metallic materials (based on their physical and thermodynamics causes).

• The in-depth understanding of binding phenomena, thermodynamics, visco-elasticity, effect of temperature and general properties related to polymers.
• The knowledge of different methods for the synthesis of polymers and for evaluating and controling their properties.
• The understanding of methods for controlling the macroscopic properties of polymers (with their origin in terms of physics, chemistry, statistics, thermodynamics...)

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic physics course. Basic knowledge of thermodynamics.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

For the part dedicated to metallic materials, PW consist in 4-5 workshops (measurement of Young modulus, equilibrium diagram and thermodynamic calculation, Fe-C diagram, quenching) that are scheduled for half a day. Groups of 3-4 students are formed. A report has to be prepared after the PW.
For the polymeric materials, PW consist in 6-7 workshops (Impact Test, Behaviour to fire, Tensile Test, Wettability, Rheology, Statistics) that are scheduled for half a day. Groups of 3 students are formed. A noted report has to be prepared (after PW).

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

Face-to-face
Theoretical lectures and PW during the 2nd semester.
Practical informations (first lecture, PW schedule, slideshows...) are available on the Metallic Materials Science (MMS) website :
http://www.metaux.ulg.ac.be

Recommended or required readings

Lecture notes are available on the website: http://www.metaux.ulg.ac.be.

Assessment methods and criteria

The assessment will be based on a written examination (80 points), a homework (metals) for 10 points and a polymeric laboratory report (10 points).
Obligation to participate in both practice sessions and provide the two  reports to pass the final exam. Penalties will apply if the reports are given after the specified deadlines.
Written examination during the June session (80% of the final grade). The marks for the PW is reported for the second session.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

Contacts

Prof. Anne Mertens
email: anne.mertens@uliege.be,
Office: Building B52, room +2/411

Assistant: Tommaso Maurizi Enrici:
email: tommaso.maurizi-enrici@uliege.be
Office: Building B52, room: +2/509