Metallurgy of Engineering Alloys

MATS32102 Metallurgy of Engineering Alloys 10 Semester 2 Undergraduate Level 6 Edward Pickering Unit coordinator Department of Materials 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Last part of a Bachelors ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 5.0 The unit builds on prior knowledge to demonstrate how metallurgical principles can be utilised to understand and predict microstructure evolution in industrial alloys (specifically, aluminium alloys and steels), and how these alloys can be processed and tailored to optimise their performance. The unit builds on prior knowledge to demonstrate how metallurgical principles can be utilised to understand and predict microstructure evolution in industrial alloys (specifically, aluminium alloys and steels), and how these alloys can be processed and tailored to optimise their performance. Lecture topics include:<ul><li>A general overview of thermo-mechanical processing of alloys, including further explorations of recovery, recrystallisation and grain growth.</li><li>Aluminium alloys: important phase diagrams, alloy types, applications, tempers, strengthening mechanisms and age hardening, casting alloys, non-heat treatable and heat treatable wrought alloys, transition and metastable phases, and heat treatments.</li><li>Steels: phases and the Fe-C phase diagram, microconstituents, common heat treatments, phase transformation behaviours (including TTT and CCT diagrams), common processing routes, and problematic metallurgical phenomena. </li></ul> This unit will build on prior knowledge to enable you to:<ul><li>Apply metallurgical principles to design improved processing routes to optimize the performances of alloys.</li><li>Interpret the complex microstructural features that can arise in commercial alloy systems and comment of the impact of these features on performance.</li><li>Be aware of the issues and challenges that can arise during alloy production and processing, including practical considerations, and act to rectify/overcome them.</li><li>Recognise the environmental impact of alloy production and processing routes. </li></ul> A greater depth of the learning outcomes will be covered in the following sections: <ul> <li> Knowledge and understanding</li> <li> Intellectual skills</li> <li> Practical skills</li> <li> Transferable skills and personal qualities</li> </ul> a) Categorize aluminium alloys according to information that is provided regarding their composition and/or precipitation sequences (for well-known classes of alloys).b) Explain how recrystallization processes can be used to engineer grain structures during thermo-mechanical processing, and recommend changes to a given processing route to optimize grain structure and resulting properties.c) Describe the importance of precipitation aluminium alloys in relation to how heat treatments can be used to engineer precipitate microstructure, and recommend changes to a processing route to optimize precipitation and resulting properties.d) Sketch a suitable portion of the Fe-C phase diagram to show the position of the Ae1 and Ae3 temperatures, define their meaning, and explain (using an example) why knowledge of such temperatures is important in an industrial manufacturing environment.e) Describe the differences between diffusional and displacive phase transformation and categorize steel microconstituents according to these behaviours.f) Interpret steel CCT and TTT diagrams and use them to design heat treatments to meet particular microstructural/property requirements, including plans regarding heat treatment practicalities (e.g., quenching methods).g) When presented with an example of a steel microstructure and its properties, propose how it could be heat treated (or otherwise processed) to deliver improved properties.  a) Distinguish between strengthening mechanisms in heat-treatable and non-heat-treatable aluminium alloys, and critically compare the relative advantages and disadvantages of these alloys and their typical applications.b) Use nucleation theory to predict the precipitation kinetics in heat-treatable aluminium alloys under a given set of conditions.c) Estimate the strength contribution due to shearable and non-shearable precipitates, and predict the optimal precipitate size.d) Predict the microstructures formed in alumium alloys and steels given appropriate information (e.g., composition and heat treatment).e) Predict the effect of changes in alloy chemistry and/or microstructure on mechanical properties of steels and aluminium alloys.  a) Identify key microstructural features in an image (in aluminium alloys and steels), evaluate uncertainties in your assessment, and suggest further work to improve the certainty of your assessment where necessary.b) Perform simple calculations of reaction kinetics and material properties such as yield strength.c) Given a desired product’s shape and mechanical properties, make recommendations as to the potential processing route that could be followed to achieve these requirements.  a) Describe the production and processing routes used in industry for semi-finished products, and critically compare their energy requirements and CO2 footprint.b) Evaluate the processing-related issues that may arise during the commercial application of a given steel heat treatment.c) Recommend appropriate aluminium and steel alloy classes for particular engineering applications. <div>Lectures, group tutorials (problem sessions), recommended textbooks, web resources, mock exam paper, electronic supporting information (Canvas).This unit is delivered using a blended learning approach, which integrates technology and digital media with traditional classroom activities. A variety of learning and teaching processes will be used including: lectures, discussions, group activities and independent study. Canvas will be used to present online study materials, including videos, lecture notes, guided reading, articles and other information. Canvas will also be used for the submission of assessments.</div> 1 Written exam 70% 2 Written assignment (inc essay) 30% Written and verbal N The recommended reading for this unit can be found on the <a href="https://www.readinglists.manchester.ac.uk/leganto/readinglist/lists/34141352510000163">online unit reading list</a>.  Lectures 20 Practical classes & workshops 6 Tutorials 6 0 68