course-details-portlet

IMAK2011

Material Testing and Characterization

Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.

Credits 7.5
Level Intermediate course, level II
Course start Spring 2026
Duration 1 semester
Language of instruction Norwegian
Location Trondheim
Examination arrangement School exam

About

About the course

Course content

Crystallography: crystallographic points, directions and planes (Miller indices). Slip systems.

Destructive characterization techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), light microscopy, electron microscopy (SEM, EDS), advanced microscopy techniques (AFM, FIB, etc.)

Non-destructive testing (NDT): X-ray fluorescence (XRF), visual, ultrasound, radiography, penetrant, magnetic powder and eddy current.

Fracture mechanics, fatigue and test methods.

Failure Analyzes.

Learning outcome

The candidate:

  • has basic knowledge of crystallography and can draw, determine indices and calculate atomic density in crystallographic directions and planes in a unit cell, and explain slip of dislocations.
  • has an understanding of theoretical principles of X-ray diffraction (XRD), light microscopy and electron microscopy (SEM) and can characterize and analyze the results for selected materials.
  • has knowledge of non-destructive testing (NDT) and can perform and interpret results for selected methods.
  • have insight into the mechanisms of failure and fatigue, have an understanding of different test methods, and can analyze data from selected tests.
  • has an overview of methods for material testing and characterization, can identify applications, compare possibilities and limitations, and make reasoned choices of methods.
  • can use knowledge of fracture mechanics, material testing and characterization to plan and perform an failure analysis.
  • can plan, carry out and document laboratory work within material testing and characterization in written reports.

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, exercises and laboratory work.

Expected Time Consumption:

  • Lectures: 60 hours
  • Own work: 60 hours
  • Exercises: 20 hours
  • Laboratory work: 60 hours
  • Total: 200 hours

Compulsory assignments

  • Exercises
  • Laboratory work

Further on evaluation

All compulsory work requirements (exercises and laboratory work) must be approved to take the final written examination. Information about requirements for the number of approved exercises and details about the laboratory work will be provided at the beginning of the semester. In case of re-sit exam, written exam may be changed to oral exam. Re-sit exam: August.

For applications for crediting, approval and integration of courses from previous years or other institutions' equivalent education, each application will be dealt with individually and the applicant must be able to count credits for overlapping courses.

Specific conditions

Course materials

William D. Callister jr. and David G. Rethwisch, Callister's Materials Science and Engineering, 10th Edition, Global Edition, Wiley, 2019.

Anwar Ul-Hamid, A Beginners' Guide to Scanning Electron Microscopy, 1st edition, Springer Cham, 2018.

Other resources are made available at the start of the semester.

Credit reductions

Course code Reduction From
TMT4125 2 sp Autumn 2025
This course has academic overlap with the course in the table above. If you take overlapping courses, you will receive a credit reduction in the course where you have the lowest grade. If the grades are the same, the reduction will be applied to the course completed most recently.

Subject areas

  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Engineering Subjects

Contact information

Examination

Examination

Examination arrangement: School exam
Grade: Letter grades

Ordinary examination - Spring 2026

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code D Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.

Re-sit examination - Summer 2026

School exam
Weighting 100/100 Examination aids Code D Duration 4 hours Exam system Inspera Assessment Place and room Not specified yet.