The aim of the module is to introduce the range of materials and their key properties used in engineering in order to allow them to select the appropriate materials for a given application. The module also introduces fundamental science that determines the electrical or mechanical properties of materials, such as atomic / molecular structures. In addition students will also be introduced to software which will allow them to model the properties and behaviour of engineering materials and analyse the results of experiments.

Syllabus: Lecture material

1. Introduction
a) Classification of materials into key groups based on chemistry and structure on different levels: metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, glasses and liquids
b) Identification of key physical properties affecting materials selection: Elasticity, deformation, failure and conductivity.

2. Basic Science:
a) Simple mechanics

i. Newton's laws, Work done, Kinetic and potential energy
ii. Elasticity and Hooke's law

b) Simple electrostatics

i. Definitions of electric field, electrostatic potential and forces
ii. Visualisation of electric fields using electric field lines.
iii. Gauss's flux law
iv. Electric field within a parallel plate capacitor

3. Atomic structure and material properties
a) Atomic orbitals and types of bonding
b) Structure of engineering materials, packing in metals and ceramics, molecular chains in polymers)
c) Insulators, semiconductors, metals
d) Bonding and Hooke's law

4. Deformation and mechanical failure
a) Tensile testing and hardness measurement

i. Methods
ii. Yield point and peak stress
iii. Ductile tearing versus brittle fracture

b) Young's modulus and stiffness
c) Hardness, plastic deformation and dislocations

i. Dislocations and slip
ii. Force on dislocation due to shear stress and dislocation energy
iii. Dislocation pinning and precipitate hardening

d) Toughness and fracture

i. Toughness and strain energy release rate
ii. Crack growth and critical length.

5. Conductivity and currents
a) Motion of charges in an electric field
b) Motion in vacuum
c) Motion in a solid
d) Mobility
e) Definition of current and current density
f) Sign conventions
g) Resistivity and conductivity
h) Ohm's law in microscopic and macroscopic form

6. Definition and measurement of whole life issues
a) Fatigue
b) Work hardening