CHEMMAT 305 : Materials Processing and Performance

Engineering

2023 Semester One (1233) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Materials processing and performance are critical components of a materials science and engineering degree. This course examines the processing and performance of metals, polymers and ceramics. Topics include metal-making, casting, forming, and forms of degradation, such as corrosion. Emphasis is placed on materials applications for process engineering.

Course Overview

Materials processing and performance are critical components of materials science and engineering studies. This paper introduces the processing and performance of metals, polymers, and ceramics. Topics include metal-making, forming, structure and properties of ceramics and polymers, nonferrous metals and alloys, and degradation of materials such as corrosion and oxidation.  Emphasis is placed on materials applications for chemical and mechanical industries.

Course Requirements

Prerequisite: CHEMMAT 204 or 221 Restriction: CHEMMAT 321, 322, 421

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the traditional liquid metal processes including iron/steel making and aluminum smelting techniques. Analyze molten metal processing and refining and process control to reduce undesirable elements. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the classifications of metals, understand the special properties and applications of nonferrous metals especially aluminium, magnesium and titanium alloys, and compare them with cast iron and steels. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
  3. Explain and critically evaluate the effect of the chemical structure and polymer processing on a final polymer product, including the microstructure and mechanical properties. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of how entropy controls chain stretching and predicts viscoelastic behavior, and explain the effects of chain entanglements on the elastic behavior of polymers. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
  5. Describe the nature of ceramic materials and their classification, understand the ceramic processing, and analyze the relationships of processing, microstructure, and properties of ceramic materials toward their applications. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of of oxidation of materials and how the oxidation reactions are controlled by thermodynamic and kinetic principles. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
  7. Demonstrate an understanding of of electrochemical nature of corrosion including partial reactions, electrode potential, polarisation and passivity, and Pourbaix Diagrams. Describe various corrosion forms and apply the basic knowledge to analyze the corrosion cases in industry and everyday life. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)
  8. Demonstrate an understanding of the corrosion behavior of various materials including metals, ceramics, and polymers, understand the effects of the environment on corrosion and apply the knowledge to select suitable materials and protection methods to control corrosion. (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Assignments 50% Individual Coursework
Final Exam 50% Individual Examination
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Assignments
Final Exam

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 37 hours of lectures, 6 hours of labs, 50 hours of reading and thinking about the content, and 57 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials to complete credit for components of the course.

Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including seminars/tutorials/labs will be available as recordings.

The course will not include live online events.

Attendance on campus is not required for the test(s).

The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable delivery.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

A compulsory Zealand Steel site visit:
It will be arranged from April to May, using the afternoon lab sessions.  The class will be divided into three teams to visit the steelwork for three times.  The date/time will be decided in the early semester.    

Health & Safety

There are two 3-hour labs in this paper.  Students are expected to adhere to the guidelines outlined in the Health and Safety section of the Engineering Undergraduate Handbook.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

1. The arrangement of two labs this year was somehow complicated by the in-person and online labs.  We will make it better next year.
2. We will provide more practical exercise questions for students. 

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption, we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and course assessment continues to meet the principles of the University’s assessment policy. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator/director, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the university website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.