Failure of Materials and Components

Learning Outcomes

• Introduction to the course: excessive deformation, introduction to composite classes (3 lectures). • Micromechanisms of failure in materials (3 lectures). • Fracture and fracture mechanics, toughening mechanisms in ceramics and composites, probabilistic failure assessment (6 lectures). • Fatigue: total life and damage tolerant approaches, persistent slip band formation, stage I and II crack growth, closure mechanisms, long and short crack behaviour, fatigue in ceramics, composites and hybrid laminates (5 lectures). • Performance of components and structures subjected to mechanical stresses.The influence of design and manufacturing processes on service performance will be examined and the importance of defects and residual stresses associated with manufacturing processes emphasised. A detailed case study on the performance of joints will be undertaken to demonstrate how the fatigue performance of welded and mechanically fastened joints is related to the quality and design of the joint (6 lectures). • Performance of components and structures subjected to environmental effects. Corrosion, stress corrosion cracking and hydrogen induced failures will be analysed and the methods of preventing these failure modes by correct alloy selection, stainless steels, design and the use of surface coatings, e.g. paints, metallic coatings discussed. (4 lectures). • The performance of materials at elevated temperatures will be considered: high temperature fatigue, creep, oxidation, high temperature corrosion and liquid metal embrittlement will be discussed. (3 lectures). • Industrial guest lecture (1 lecture). • Mid-course classroom quiz (‘pub quiz) (1 lecture). • Revision lectures (2 lectures).

Teaching methods include: • Lectures which develop the themes described in this module. Skeleton notes are given out at the start of the course, which means you only have to note down the key points during the lecture, but still have a full set of notes to work from. • Additional research review papers are provided to give an overview of the themes of the course. • Case study forms part of the lectures. • Industrial guest lecture addresses industrial context and applications. Learning activities include • Access to past paper exam question bank • Small group self-marked classroom quiz (‘pub quiz’) • Individual work on question sheets supported by surgery sessions & revision lectures • Revision questions set by both lecturers which are intended for small group self-study teams