Course content

Steel: Microstructures (ferrite, pearlite, bainite, martensite, austenite), TTT diagrams, hardening of steel, common construction steels, HSLA steels, quenched and tempered steels, casehardened stels, tool steels, stainless steels (ferritic, austenitic, martensitic, duplex. Cast iron. Aluminium alloys: Wrought alloys, cast alloys, heat treatable alloys, non-heat-treatable alloys. Copper alloys: Brass, bronze. Magnesium, titanium and nickel alloys.

Learning outcome

Through this course, the students obtain a basic knowledge of the microstructure and properties of technological important metals and alloys. The students should aquire an understanding of the relation between chemical composition, phase diagram, processing, microstructure and user properties of these metals. User properties include primarily mechanical properties like strength, hardness, ductility and toughness, but the students should also obtain an understanding of the corrosion resistance and weldability of metals (steel and aluminium).
After the course, the students should be able to explain the effects that alloying elements have in the most applied alloy systems, and they should have obtained a basis for chosing correct alloy and correct processing for different applications. In addition, the students should have obtained a basic understanding of favourable microstructures, and from the microstructure of an alloy (micro- and nano level) be able to assess whether the alloy has been given the correct processing (heat treatment etc.). For steel, that makes the major part of the course, the students should be able to carry out calculations on phase distributions, strength, transition temperature, stable grain size (Zener), hardenability, tempering, carburizing and decarburizing. Furthermore, the students should have laboratory skills in heat treatment of steels and aluminium, hardness measurements, metallographic work (specimen preparation, light microscopy), and to a certain extent on weld simulation, fracture toughness testing (Charpy) and scanning electron microscopy (fracture surfaces).
Through laboratory work and report writing the students should develop their skills in collaboration and written communication of scientific results.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, mandatory tutorials and laboratory exercises. If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from written to oral.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises , Laboratory work

Recommended previous knowledge

The course is based on course TMT4175 Materials Technology 2 (see course description for 2009/10).

Course materials

Jan Ketil Solberg: Teknologiske metaller og legeringer, compendium.

Credit reductions