MEng Materials Science and Engineering with Biomaterials

This unit introduces key factors that influence the performance and failure of materials in service with particular emphasis on wear/corrosion protection and asset management/ lifetime prediction, in energy and transport applications.

The unit will cover fracture, fatigue, wear processes, failure mechanisms and life prediction. Aspects of aqueous corrosion of metals and coating processes to provide protection will also be considered.  Students will develop an understanding of how materials performance may be managed to improve economic benefits and optimise use of scarce resource.

• Provide an overview of failure mechanisms, the different forms of corrosion and tribology, and their effect on properties and applications of industrial alloys.
• Deliver an understanding of the performance of materials in industrial service with a focus on transport, petrochemical, nuclear and process plant.
• Introduce strategies for component testing and life-time prediction and the management of assets.

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

a)      Describe and discuss corrosion resistant alloys, their application and degradation mechanisms.

b)      Analyse key material problems and failure mechanisms in typical industrial sectors and create strategies for corrosion protection.

c)      Apply structural integrity principles in the prediction of materials performance and evaluate the residual life of an asset.

d)      Relate statistical failure assessments to materials performance.

e)      Recognise the socio-economic benefit, impact and risk of material degradation and protection of infrastructure assets.

a)      Relate how material degradation mechanisms can affect component life-time behaviour.

b)      Interpret how physical assets may be managed to optimise lifetime performance.

c)      Apply structural integrity principles in the prediction of materials performance.

a)      Explore and analyse the different forms of corrosion/ wear material degradation.

b)      Apply failure in service analysis.

a)      Presentation and communication skills.

b)      Demonstrate the ability to understand practical problems.

Written and verbal