Course Description

The performance of a metal component is not random; it is dictated by four interconnected hierarchical levels: Processing → Structure → Properties → Performance. As materials engineers, we cannot change chemistry easily, but we can dramatically alter structure to achieve desired properties such as hardness or toughness. This course bridges the gap between microscopic atomic arrangements and macroscopic mechanical testing.

What you'll learn in this course?

• Differentiate between crystalline structures (BCC, FCC, HCP) and predict mechanical behavior based on atomic packing.

• Analyze defect mechanisms (dislocations, grain boundaries) to explain yield strength and ductility.

• Evaluate phase transformation diagrams (Iron-Carbon) to justify heat treatment processes.

• Apply structure-property relationships to solve common industrial failure modes (fatigue, creep).