Materials science: traditional structural materials and polymers

8.1. Introduction. What is material science? The importance of the subject. Introduction of the structural materials, similarities and differences. Some interesting examples of structure property correlations.

8.2. Basic definitions of material science: primary bonds, forces between atoms and molecules. Basic properties of materials and their connection to their atomic structure. Basics of crystallography, the structural hierarchy of materials and its consequences.

8.3. Structure-property correlations in solid materials. Mechanical behavior, wave propagation and thermal properties.

8.4. Structure and mechanical properties of metals and polymers. Deformation mechanisms, plastic deformation of metals and its structural explanation. Dislocations and their consequences. Introduction into the continuum mechanics. Structural hierarchy of polymers. Diversity and fine structure of a polymer chain and its effect on the phase structure of the polymers. Physical states of polymeric materials. Structure and properties of semicrystalline polymers. The structural parameters, which deter-mines the mechanical and optical properties. Modeling of structure in order to predict properties.

8.5. Structure and properties of ceramics and wooden materials. Synthesis, processing and sintering. Parameters, which influences the properties of the ceramics, porosity and density. Chemical bonds in ceramic materials and their mechanical properties. Wood as a natural composite material. Structure and direction dependent properties. General correlation between structural parameter and stiffness of different wood types. Characterization of wooden materials, fracture mechanism. 

8.6. Electrical conductivity. Structural explanation of electric conductivity, semiconductors. Electron as quasi element. Effective mass of electrons. Superconductivity.

8.7. The effect of processing on the structure of metals. Moving and interaction of dislocations and its consequences. Cold work of metals and its structural explanation. Crystal defects and their effect on the properties. Processing of ceramics and the effect of processing technique on the final properties.

8.8. Complex effects appear during the processing of polymers. Degradation, orientation, internal stresses. Changes of properties during processing. Effect of processing on the crystalline structure. Targeted modification of crystalline structure in order to achieve improved stiffness of better optical properties. Effect of nucleating agents.

8.9. Properties of heterogeneous systems. Basic factors determining the properties of composites. Precondition of reinforcing effect, particulate or fiber filled systems. Critical fiber length. Metal alloys and composites. Steel as composite material. Ceramic matrix composites, preparation and properties.

8.10.         Heterogeneous systems based on polymeric materials. Parameters influencing properties. Mechanism of failure, micromechanical deformations. How to explore the limits of a composite material? How is it possible to improve the performance of a composite? Nano-sized fillers, nanocomposites: expectations, possibilities and limitations. Most important difficulties on the field of nanocomposites.

8.11.         Non-conventional materials. Shape memory alloys and polymers. Structural explanation of shape memory. Example on applications using shape memory materials. Piezoelectric and electro strictive materials and their application. Magnetostriction. 

8.12.         Polymer gels and soft materials. Volume changes, swelling and coagulation of gels and their possible application. Thermoresponsive gels and photoresponsive materials. Unique properties of soft materials, microfluidic valves, reactors.

Laboratory practice

1.         Deformation of metals, alloys. Strengthening mechanisms, Effect of cold work on pure metals and alloys. Effect of heat treatment on cold worked metals.

2.         Deformation of polymers: Complex processes during plastic deformation of polymeric materials. Tension and fracture tests. Deformation mechanisms in different physical states.

3.         Deformation of wooden materials. Mechanical properties of different wood types parallel and perpendicular to the fiber direction. Tension and bending experiments. Effect of water content.

4.         Swelling and unique properties of polymer gels. 

The laboratory practices will be held on Monday afternoon between 14:15 and 18:00. The booklets for the laboratory practices are available online in the Teams group assigned to this subject.