UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

The academic objectives of this unit are (1) to equip students with the fundamental knowledge of materials science and engineering; (2) to equip the students with the knowledge of engineering material processing and the processing/structure/properties/performance relationships as demonstrated by the Fe-C alloy system; (3) to equip students with the fundamental and practical knowledge of metal corrosion and basic skills for corrosion prevention, and the knowledge of degradation of non-metallic materials; and (4) to establish a general ability for selecting materials for engineering applications.

This unit builds upon ENSC1004 Engineering Materials and covers important fundamental topics of materials science and engineering including diffusion in solids, strengthening mechanisms in metals and phase diagrams. This prepares students to learn and appreciate how microstructure can be developed and controlled to achieve desired mechanical properties of engineering alloys. It teaches the knowledge of industrial thermal processing of engineering alloys, using Fe-C system as a central example. The unit also introduces to students the common forms of corrosion and corrosion prevention techniques, and degradation of polymers and ceramics. It concludes on engineering materials for application in mechanical design and engineering structures.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 2 core unit in the Biomedical Engineering; Mechanical Engineering major sequences

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) explain mechanisms of diffusion in metals and solve simple diffusion problems for alloy heat treatment; (2) interpret common types of binary phase diagrams and to describe solidification processes and

microstructures of binary alloys; (3) use Fe-C phase diagram, and isothermal and continuous cooling transformation diagrams to

describe microstructure development of steels and cast irons through heat treatment; (4) design heat treatment processes to control microstructures and alter mechanical properties of

alloys; (5) explain strengthening mechanisms of alloys; (6) explain electrochemical fundamental principles underlying industrial corrosion of alloys; and (7) design basic cathodic protection systems for engineering structures against corrosion.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) quizzes; (2) assignments; and (3) exams. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Mr Bobby Gillham and Dr Angus Tavner and Dr Peter Whittaker

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) or an associated Combined Degree

and Successful completion of

ENSC1004 Engineering Materials