2023-2024 / PHYS0904-4

Physics of materials

Duration

26h Th, 26h Pr, 1d FW

Number of credits

 Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Engineering5 crédits 

Lecturer

Luc Courard, 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 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); 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.
  • An 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).
 

For the "Polymers" part of the course, the student will understand the specificity of polymers through its origin and consequences. This is especially accomplished thanks to

  • 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...)
This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.1, I.2, II.1, III.1, III.2, IV.2, VI.1, VI.2, VI.3, VII.2 of the BSc in engineering.


This course contributes to the learning outcomes I.1, I.2, II.1, III.1, III.2, IV.2, VI.1, VI.2, VI.3, VII.2 of the MSc in biomedical engineering.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Basic physics and chemistry course (secondary school level). Basic knowledge of thermodynamics.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course consists in ex-cathedra lectures and two practical workshops (one dealing with polymer materials, and the other with metallic materials)

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 3-5 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 3-5 students are formed. A noted report has to be prepared (after PW).

It is mandatory to take part in the PW and to submit a report, in order to be admitted to take the exam.
The student who is unable to fulfill these requirements due to force majeure is invited to contact Mrs Mertens as soon as possible.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face
Theoretical lectures and PW during the 2nd semester.
Practical informations will be made available on eCampus.

Recommended or required readings

Lecture notes will be made available on eCampus.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam

Written work / report


Additional information:

The assessment will be based on the reports for the practical workshops (10% for each report) and on a written examination (80%).
Moreover, students can earn one extra "bonus" points, valid for the final mark of the course, by contributing to the forums (at least 5 contributions during the semester)

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Contacts

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

Assistant: Herrim Seidou
email: AHB.Seidou@uliege.be
Office: Building B52, room +2/412

Association of one or more MOOCs