Overview

This unit of study aims to introduce you to the basics of engineering materials, including their microstructure, properties, structure, failure modes and sustainable use.

Requisites

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
29-July-2024
27-October-2024
Last self-enrolment date
11-August-2024
Census date
31-August-2024
Last withdraw without fail date
13-September-2024
Results released date
03-December-2024
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Describe the difference in atomic/molecular structure between the major classes of materials that result in different material properties (K1)
  • Analyse the material response to mechanical and physical stimuli (K1, S1)
  • Determine mechanical properties of all major classes of materials on the basis of experiment (K1, S1)
  • Determine physical properties of materials (K1, S1)
  • Describe the suitability of different methods of strengthening of materials and their potential for material degradation (K1, S1, A2)
  • Select materials using appropriate methods that consider microstructure, manufacture, performance and sustainability (K1, S1)
  • Safely execute experiments, formulate conclusions and generate laboratory reports (K6, S1, A2)

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Lecture
1.00 12 weeks 12
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning
1.00 3 weeks 3
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning
7.50 12 weeks 90
Online
Lecture
2.00 12 weeks 24
On-campus
Class
1.00 11 weeks 11
On-campus
Practical
2.00 5 weeks 10
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
ExaminationIndividual 40 - 60% 1,2,3,4,5,6 
Laboratory ReportIndividual 15 - 25% 2,3,4,7 
Online QuizIndividual 15 - 25% 1,2,3,4,5,6 
PresentationGroup 5 - 15% 2,3,5,6 

Hurdle

As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:

As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all Unit Learning Outcomes to a minimum standard, a student must achieve:(i) an aggregate mark of 50% or more, and(ii) at least 40% in the final exam.Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.

Content

  • Materials for engineering
  • Atomic bonding and structure
  • Crystal structure, unit cells, planes and direction, x-ray diffraction, density
  • Amorphous structures, composition
  • Crystal defects, imperfections, dislocation theory
  • Recovery, recrystallization, grain growth
  • Electrical & magnetic properties of metals
  • Mechanical behavior of metals, polymers, ceramics
  • Failure of materials; fatigue, ductile, brittle, impact, tensile, creep, corrosion
  • Properties of polymers
  • Electrical & magnetic properties of polymers
  • Properties of concrete, composites, ceramics
  • Electrical & magnetic properties of ceramics
  • Materials selection strategies
  • Sustainability of materials

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.