OVERVIEW

Non-ferrous metallurgy studies the mechanical, chemical and physical properties of alloys based on other elements than iron.

This course introduces the production, properties and optimization of the most diffused non-ferrous alloys. Such knowledges allow an in-depth understanding of metals properties providing key concepts for their design, choice and application.    

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course aims to provide an in-depth knowledge of non-ferrous alloys properties and their applications. It has been designed to extend the basic notions acquired during the Metallurgy I course. In particular, several aspects of physical and mechanical metallurgy will be applied to the most diffused non-ferrous alloys. Additionally, knowledges on mechanical processing, heat treatments, welding and corrosion will allow a critical choice and understanding of their behavior at operating conditions.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The aim of the course is to extend the student’s knowledge on metallic materials by introducing the mechanical and physical properties of non-ferrous alloys. Together with the basic notions acquired in Metallurgy I, the study of non-ferrous materials will allow a wider understanding of metals properties during processing and operating conditions.

At the end of the course, the student will have acquired a detailed knowledge of the main non-ferrous materials about their production, mechanical processing, thermal and chemical treatments, corrosion behavior, and applications. Practicing with the designation systems introduced in this course will enable the recognition of specific alloys and their supply conditions.

PREREQUISITES

Each topic covered during the course will be widely introduced. However, to better address the contents, students must have acquired the basic notions covered in “Metallurgy I” course such as phase diagrams, heat treatments, metallography, crystallography and mechanical testing.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of 6 CFU divided in 5 CFU of traditional lectures (40 hours) and 1 CFU of laboratory activities (13 hours).

Lectures will cover the theory and application examples. The laboratory activities include the application of thermal and mechanical treatments on non-ferrous alloys. Samples will be prepared for microstructural observations in order to evaluate the effects of the applied treatments. Also, corrosion tests will be carried out on several alloys in order to study their properties in different operating conditions.

The 4 CFU version of this course consists in 32 hours of traditional lectures.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course will provide an introduction to the most diffused non-ferrous alloys. The first part of the program is focused on the physical metallurgy of non-ferrous alloys. This part will cover the strengthening mechanisms and microstructural aspects of thermal treatments, mechanical processing and welding. Notions on wet corrosion and high-temperature oxidation will be also provided. 

The second part of the program will cover specific non-ferrous alloys including those based on aluminum, magnesium, titanium, copper and nickel. For each alloy will be introduced the production processes, classification, properties and applications.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All the slides used for the lectures and other material will be available on Aulaweb. In general, the lecture notes and the available material on Aulaweb are sufficient for the exam preparation. For further information, the following texts are suggested:

• M. Cabibbo, Leghe e Metalli Non Ferrosi, ed. Esculapio
• I. Polmear,‎ D. StJohn,‎ J.-F. Nie,‎ M. Qian, Light Alloys: Metallurgy of the Light Metals, Butterworth-Heinemann; 5th edition
• D. R. Askeland, W. J. Wright, Scienza e tecnologie dei metalli, ed. CittàStudi
• S. Barella, A. Gruttadauria, Metallurgia e Materiali non metallici, ed. Esculapio 2° edizione

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

ROBERTO SPOTORNO (President)

PAOLO PICCARDO (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Last week of September

Class schedule

L'orario di tutti gli insegnamenti è consultabile all'indirizzo EasyAcademy.

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is an oral examination for a duration of at least 30 minutes. It consists of three questions that contribute in equal parts to the evaluation (10/30 each).

The first question is focused on a physical or extractive metallurgy topic. In the second and third questions the student is asked to illustrate and discuss specific aspects of non-ferrous alloys introduced during the course.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam aims to verify the acquisition of an adequate knowledge by the student on the teaching topics, in particular the principles of physical metallurgy and properties of the main non-ferrous alloys. The student should be able to exploit such concepts to deal with application aspects and use a correct terminology. 

In case the learning outcomes are not achieved, the student is invited to further study by using the provided teaching material or additional explanations before repeating the exam.

Exam schedule