Materials Technology

This course covers the properties and classification of materials, including metals, ceramics, glass and polymers, and how each is used to manufacture different products. You will learn practical techniques for working with metals, ceramics and plastics, finishing with safe and sustainable materials handling. Suitable for anyone working in construction, mining or manufacturing.

Learn about both Metals and Non metals: their varying properties, how they are used to manufacture various products. Materials that are commonly used to build or manufacture things can be classified into different groups. The most basic classification is metals and non-metals. You could also classify them as metals, ceramics and organic materials. Another system of classification includes the main groups of metals, ceramics, polymers and composites. All the materials that you may think of such as glass, resins, rubber, wood, fibres, carbon, concrete, and minerals fit into these main groups. This course takes a closer look at a diverse range of materials, their characteristics, uses, and how to work with them. COURSE STRUCTURE Lessons: 1. Properties & Classification of Materials Mechanical Properties Thermal Properties Electrical Properties Environmental Properties Manufacturing Properties Economic Properties Classification of Materials Metals Ceramics Polymers Composites Minerals Silicates Non Silicate Minerals 2. Metals and Their Uses Ferrous Materials -pig iron, wrought iron, grey iron etc Non Ferrous Metals Aluminium Copper Lead Zinc Tin Nickel Rare Earth Elements Lanthanides Properties and Uses of Rare Earth Elements Other Metals -Titanium, Gold, Silver, Chromium, Tungsten, Antimony 3. Metal Alloys and Their Uses Malleability Ductility Strength Benefits of Alloys Ferrous Alloys Cast Irons Steels Steel Grading Non Ferrous Alloys: White metal, Nickel-Silver, etc Tin Alloys Copper Alloys Aluminium Alloys Titanium Alloys Titanium, Gold and Silver Alloys Rare Earth Alloys 4. Working with Metals Metal work Gauges/Sizing Grades Bulk Forming - forging, rolling extrusion, cold sizing, bending, coining, spinning, stamping etc. Casting Metals - expandable and non expandable Cutting Metals - machining, hand cutting, burning Finishing Joining Metals - soldering, welding, brazing, riveting 5. Non-metals and Their Uses Porcelain Earthenware Glass Brick Polymers Plastics Plant Fibres Resins Rubber Composites - concrete, ceramic matrix composites, weed composites, metal matrix composites Polymer Matrix Composites - fibreglass, carbon fibre 6. Working with Ceramics (and Glass) Making Pottery Kneading and wedging Shaping - hand building, using a potters wheel, injection moulding, jiggering, jolleying etc Glazing - vitreous enamel, overglaze, underglaze, salt glazing Decorating Firing Making Glass - hot end, cold end etc Glass Sheet Working with Glass - Cutting, fixing, joining, blowing 7. Working with Polymers & Composites Synthetic Polymers Plastic manufacturing Joining Plastics Plastic welding techniques Polymer Clay Natural Polymers -working rubber Composites - working fibreglass 8. Safe and Sustainable Handling of Materials Safe Use of Materials Case Studies Sustainable Use of Materials Recycling Major PBL Project Also Learn How Materials are Used, and how to Choose the Best Materials for the Job In order to make or repair anything you need to understand the materials available, the tools that can be used, and how to work with those tools to create the things you want to make. Understanding the different properties of materials is very helpful in choosing materials for different purposes. It helps you select materials on the grounds of strength, malleability, thermal and electrical conductance or resistance, ease of cutting, and so on. Many metals are provided in different sizes, shapes and grades. Size may be determined by thickness or gauge. Grade is an indication of composition and properties and is typically used for alloys. Part of the decision-making process involves selecting the right size and grade material for the job. Once you have chosen a material to use, you need to understand how to cut it, shape it, fix it (join it), and make it into something.