Overview

1. Understand how materials behave in extreme corrosive, erosive, high radiation, high heat flux environments.
2. Improving materials with alloying additions and dopants: mechanical, manufacturing and electronic behaviour.
3. Assess the benefits and drawbacks of composite materials and delve into composite material theory for space and biological applications.
4. Understand the role of next-generation and advanced materials including high entropy materials, bulk-metallic-glasses, meta-materials and 2-dimensional materials.
5. Understand the link between materials chemistry, microstructure and properties and how to standardise materials.

1. Corrosion mechanisms of materials with examples from aerospace, nuclear and bioengineering provided. Link to mechanical properties.
2. Understand the role of erosion on corrosion.
3. Assess the mechanistic behaviour of materials exposed to radiation. To include transmutation, damage and microstructural effects.
4. Thermal shock and heat properties associated with aerospace components and those used for fusion power plants. Balancing thermal conductivity, thermal expansion and mechanical properties.
5. Understand the role of dopants and alloying additions to materials.
6. Design of composite materials including ceramic-metallic, ceramic-ceramic and ceramic-metallic composites (as well as some exotics).
7. Move on to functional grading materials (for example for bone transplants).
8. This will lead to novel materials including high entropy materials (alloys and oxides) and meta-materials.

The need for standardization, qualification and material testing will be a common theme throughout.

Assessment Strategy

The module will be assessed through coursework related to practical lab experiments. Students will predict the behaviour of provided samples before conducting lab sessions where they validate their predictions. Assessment will be in the form of a lab report where they synthesise their thoughts, this will be presented as a short scientific article.

There will also be a final exam.

-threshold -Equivalent to 40%.Uses key areas of theory or knowledge to meet the Learning Outcomes of the module. Is able to formulate an appropriate solution to accurately solve tasks and questions. Can identify individual aspects, but lacks an awareness of links between them and the wider contexts. Outputs can be understood, but lack structure and/or coherence.

-good -Equivalent to the range 60%-69%.Is able to analyse a task or problem to decide which aspects of theory and knowledge to apply. Solutions are of a workable quality, demonstrating understanding of underlying principles. Major themes can be linked appropriately but may not be able to extend this to individual aspects. Outputs are readily understood, with an appropriate structure but may lack sophistication.

-excellent -Equivalent to the range 70%+.Assemble critically evaluated, relevant areas of knowledge and theory to constuct professional-level solutions to tasks and questions presented. Is able to cross-link themes and aspects to draw considered conclusions. Presents outputs in a cohesive, accurate, and efficient manner.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyse and critique results from experiments performed by the students.

• Be able to perform broad material selection for a range of components subjected to extreme environments

• Evaluate material behaviour to enable the design of components for use in extreme environments.

• Plan and prepare various validation experiments for new materials use.