MEng Materials Science and Engineering with Biomaterials / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Corrosion Science & Engineering

Course unit fact file
Unit code MATS32202
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 6
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Offered by Department of Materials
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

This unit introduces the concept of corrosion measurement and monitoring methods, with a link to fundamental electrochemistry. 

Aims

The unit aims to:

  • Provide an overview of mechanisms of corrosion in aqueous environments and the common corrosion measurement techniques and methods, for quantifying and monitoring material degradation.

Learning outcomes

A greater depth of the learning outcomes will be covered in the following sections:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Intellectual skills
  • Practical skills
  • Transferable skills and personal qualities

Teaching and learning methods

  1. Blended learning, including online lectures, online activities, online tutorials and in-person activities for an approximately 30 hours
  2. Laboratory-based (either practical or virtual) learning, including demonstrations: approximately 12 hours
  3. Independent learning, including self-directed reading and assignments: approximately 60 hours
     

Knowledge and understanding

  • Understand the principles by which corrosion happens via electrochemical reactions in aqueous or ionic media.
  • Understand the thermodynamic relationships that govern phase stability for metals and their oxides in gaseous and aqueous environments, and the construction of Pourbaix diagrams.
     

Intellectual skills

  • Comprehend the theory and applications of corrosion measurement and monitoring systems.
  • Explain how corrosion behaviour of materials depends upon surface morphology and surface treatment/coating systems.
     

Practical skills

  • Perform experiments (or simulations) to measure corrosion rates in aqueous environments.
  • Understand how to use a potentiostat correctly utilising three electrode setups.
  • Calculate corrosion rate from experimental measurements.
     

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Gain experience in interactions with lecturers and piers via remote systems.
  • Gain experience working with piers to understand remote laboratory demonstrations.
     

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 70%
Written assignment (inc essay) 30%

Feedback methods

Written and verbal

Recommended reading

•    “Surface Engineering for Corrosion and Wear Resistance”, J.R. Davis, ASM International, 2001.
•    “Corrosion Failure Analysis with Case Histories “, Eiselstein, L. E. & Huet, R., in Uhlig's Corrosion Handbook, 3rd Edition (ed R. W. Revie), John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
•    “Corrosion mechanisms in theory and practice”; edited by P. Marcus and J. Oudar, M. Dekker, 1995.
•    “Electrochemical Techniques in Corrosion Science and Engineering,” R. Kelly, J. Scully, D. Shoesmith, R. Buchheit, Marcel Dekker, 2003.
•    “Analytical Methods in Corrosion Science and Engineering,” P. Marcus, F. Mansfield, CRC Taylor&Francis Group, 2006.
•    Shreir’s Corrosion Handbook, 4th Edition, Vol. 1, Elsevier, 2010.
•    “Introduction to the High Temperature Oxidation of Metals”, N.Birks, G.H.Meier, F.S.Pettit, Cambridge Academic Publisher, 2009.
•    “High Temperature Oxidation and Corrosion of Metals,” D. Young, Elsevier, 2008.
 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 20
Practical classes & workshops 10
Tutorials 6
Independent study hours
Independent study 64

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Brian Connolly Unit coordinator

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