Objectives and competences
The aim of this subject is to familiarize students with the most commonly used materials and technologies. The focus is on the connection between the structure and properties of materials as a foundation of materials science, with a significant emphasis on understanding the life cycles of the most important technical materials and their impact on the environment.
Students will:
• learn professional terminology in the field of materials science
• learn about the structure and properties of engineering materials
• learn about the life cycles of the most important engineering materials
• become familiar with the basics of comprehensive environmental impact assessment of materials
• deepen their understanding of the impact of material and technology choices on the environmental footprint.
Content (Syllabus outline)
Types of materials and their structures. General impact of materials and technologies on the environmental footprint, understanding the concepts of 3R and 6R for handling materials. Life cycle assessment of selected materials, with a comprehensive evaluation of their environmental impacts:
- Steel
- Aluminum alloys
- Polymers
- Inorganic non-metallic glasses
- Ceramics
- Concrete
- Composites
- Materials made from plants (wood, canabis, miscantus, straw, plant fibers from bananas, ananas and other fiber-rich plants).
The life cycle assessment includes the consideration of natural raw material resources and basic material production processes, material manufacturing and use, their interaction with the environment, and their involvement in circular economy, with the possibility of various methods of reuse.
Technologies for increasing material sustainability and reducing environmental impacts. The technologies of metallic and ceramic materials are covered, such as casting, sintering, additive manufacturing, forming, heat and mechanical treatments, technologies for manufacturing polymer and composite materials, as well as the production of materials from plants.
Selection of materials and technologies based on various criteria
- Sustainability
- Environmental footprint
- Mechanical and other properties.
Alternatives to current materials and technologies.
Learning and teaching methods
• Lectures
• Laboratory work
Intended learning outcomes - knowledge and understanding
• Compare the structure and properties of different types of materials
• Analyze the life cycle of a selected type of material
• Select the most appropriate material based on chosen criteria
• Justify the possibility of recycling the selected type of material
• Evaluate the environmental footprint of the selected type of material based on the manufacturing technology.
Readings
• F. Zupanič, I. Anžel: Gradiva, Fakulteta za strojništvo, UM, 2007.
• I. Anžel, M. Brunčko: Konstrukcijski materiali, UM, 2020
• W. D.Callister: Materials Science and Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, New York, ZDA, 2018.
• Krautov strojniški priročnik – 17. Slovenska izdaja, Littera picta, Ljubljana, 2019.
• F. Zupanič, G. Lojen: Toplotna obdelava kovin, Fakulteta za strojništvo, UM, 2011
• F. Zupanič, G. Lojen: Materiali I, Fakulteta za strojništvo, UM, 2010
• N. Khanna; K. Kumar Gajrani; K. Giasin; J. Paulo Davim, Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing Technologies, CRC Press, 2023
Prerequisits
Secondary school level chemistry and physics.
The prerequisite for access to the oral exam is the completion of the laboratory exercises and a positive evaluation of the laboratory exercises report.
