IE 204 – Introduction to material science

IE 204 – Introduction to material science; Weekly hours: 2+1, ECTS: 5
The main aim of the course is to give some general knowledge about: 1. Structure of materials (macro-, micro-, crystalline, amorphous, atomic, interatomic and intermolecular bonds, imperfection in solids, phase diagrams and phase transformations); 2. Main classes of materials: a). the generic metals and alloys (metal structure and the range of metal structures that can be altered to get different properties, crystal and glass structure, grain and phase boundaries, equilibrium shapes of grains and phases); b) the generic of ceramics and glasses (glasses, vitreous ceramics, high technology ceramics, cements and concretes, natural ceramics, ceramic composites, structure and properties of ceramics); c) the generic polymers (thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, natural polymers, production, structure, properties and processing of polymers); 3. Composite materials; 4. Material properties in physical fields (electrical, thermal, magnetic, optical); 5. Corrosion.
Why to study materials science? Electron configurations in elements and their properties relationship; Fundamental atomic arrangements and bonding forces; Bonding forces and families of materials; Trends in periodic table; Structure of materials (macro-, micro-, crystalline, amorphous); Imperfection in solids; Main classes of materials; Polymer processing; Polymer structures mechanical properties relationship; Biodegradable polymers; Polymer recycling; Composite materials; Nano-composites; Corrosion; Electronic properties; Thermal properties; Magnetic properties; Optical properties; Wood.