Aerospace Materials

Learning Outcomes

Partial CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Regularly assess materials engineering knowledge and concepts through coursework quizzes and case study discussions, incorporating research outcomes from lecturers' work, with case study results forming part of the final assessment. This will be assessed through quizzes and case studies.
• Assess failure behavior and risks associated with continued operation or maintenance of materials in aircraft and spacecraft, through case study reports. These are assessed in quizzes and final assessment.
• Participate in laboratory classes that involve experimental measurements, testing, and analysis of mechanical properties of materials. This will be assessed through quizzes for the labs.
• Engage in materials selection discussions for different aircraft and spacecraft structural components, integrated into the course content and assessments. These are assessed in labs and final assessment.
• Develop material selection and recommendations in case studies related to aircraft and spacecraft structures, presented in a concise consultancy-style report, ensuring clarity for a non-technical layperson to understand.
• Explore materials property variations linked to manufacturing issues and quality assurance in specifying materials performance, as part of the course content and assessments. These are assessed in labs and final assessment.
• Engage in problem-solving tutorials that prepare students for final assessment problems, based on the domain knowledge learned during the course. This will be assessed through quizzes.
• Use case studies related to aircraft and spacecraft materials to assess customer needs, safety, and commercial issues, partly fulfilling this learning objective in the consultancy-style report. This will be assessed through quizzes and case studies.

Introduction to aerospace materials Overview of aerospace materials Aerospace materials: past, present and future Classification of aerospace materials Mechanical and thermal properties of materials Material requirements for aerospace structures and engines Fixed-wing aircraft structures (Fuselage, Wings, Empennage and control surfaces, Landing gear, Jet engines) Helicopter Spacecraft Metals and Alloys in aerospace applications Aluminum alloys Titanium alloys Steel and nickel-based superalloys Magnesium alloys Manufacturing of aerospace materials High-Temperature Materials, Ceramics Ceramics and refractory materials Ablative materials Case study for aerospace and space application Composite Materials in Aerospace Introduction to composites (polymers and fibres) Properties and benefits Applications in modern aircraft and spacecraft Manufacturing techniques Challenges Failure Analysis of Aerospace Materials Corrosion mechanisms Fatigue behavior of aerospace materials Environmental degradation Creep and fatigue resistance of materials Mechanical and durability testing of aerospace materials Tension test Compression test Shear Test Hardness test Drop-weight impact test Fatigue test Creep test Environmental durability testing Materials selection for aerospace applications Materials selection in design Stages of materials selection(Translation, Material screening, Material indices, final selection criteria) Materials property charts Structural properties in materials selection Manufacturing considerations in materials selection Durability considerations in materials selection Environmental considerations in materials selection Economic and industry considerations Future materials in aerospace Self-healing materials Metamaterials Smart materials Disposable and recycling of aerospace materials

Teaching methods include: 1.Lectures covering the syllabus, accompanied by numerical example sheets as part of the course material 2.Problem-solving classes and case study workshops. 3.Laboratory sessions on relevant topics to support and enhance the theoretical understanding. Learning activities include: Individual work on examples from the course material. Attendance at laboratory classes. Participation in tutorials. Completion of associated coursework.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.