Module overview
This first-year module introduces the physical origins and properties of materials and explores how these properties govern their selection in aerospace engineering applications. A variety of materials will be studied, including metals and alloys, high-temperature materials, ceramics, composites, and advanced emerging materials such as self-healing materials, smart materials, and metamaterials.
The module establishes a foundational understanding of aerospace materials, forming the basis for subsequent topics in key modules like Statics and Dynamics, Aerospace Structures, and Aircraft/Spacecraft Structural Design. The focus is on linking material properties to their practical applications in aerospace components, providing a foundation for tackling complex aerospace design and structural challenges.
Aims and Objectives
Learning Outcomes
Partial CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Syllabus
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
Learning and Teaching
Teaching and learning methods
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.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 60 |
| Lecture | 36 |
| Completion of assessment task | 42 |
| Guided independent study | 56 |
| Practical classes and workshops | 9 |
| Total study time | 203 |
Resources & Reading list
General Resources
Resources:. Resources: * Requires specialist materials teaching laboratory space, with desktop computers, electronic and static mechanical tabletop test equipment (strain gauges and Data Acquisition Systems and related software, benchtop tension and compression, bending and fatigue such as Universal Testing Machine) [20 students per machine] * University Computing Teaching Laboratories/ School of Engineering Labs & Computing Facilities are required. - Student access on own machines to a range of computational tools, including Ansys Granta. * [Demonstrators/ Module Tutors] 25:1 ratio of students: staff (demonstrators) for laboratory classes are required.
Textbooks
A. Mouritz. Introduction to Aerospace Materials. Woodhead Publishing in Materials.
Assessment
Assessment strategy
The Learning Outcomes of this module will be assessed as per the Assessment Schedule for Engineering Programmes at the university. Appropriate weightage will be considered for assessing different components across the coursework (including case studies, experimental reports and quizzes), and the final examination.
External Repeat is allowed for students who have fulfilled the laboratory/workshop requirement of the module (set by Module Lead) in the original attempt.
Summative
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Coursework | 50% |
| Exam | 50% |
Repeat Information
Repeat type: Internal & External