Master of Engineering (MEng)

MEng Materials Science and Engineering with Metallurgy

If you think your future lies in metallurgy, then join us and study advanced alloys, which will enable you to change the world.
  • Duration: 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: F200 / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Scholarships available
  • Accredited course

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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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