OVERVIEW

The Metal Science concerns the study of metallic materials from the point of view of the atomic structure and of the microstructure, including crystalline defects, phase transformations and the various phenomena occurring during thermo-mechanical treatments. An adequate knowledge of these aspects allows to correlate the properties and structure of these materials, providing the basis for their design.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to deepen students' knowledge of the structure and transformations of metals and alloys. The aim of the teaching is for participants to develop an understanding of the structural aspects and major chemical and physical phenomena involved in the design of metallic materials.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The purpose of the course of Metals Science is to deepen the students' knowledge on the constituents of metallic materials (pure metals, solid solutions, intermetallic compounds) and on the microstructural aspects that influence their properties, with particular attention to the different types of crystalline defects. 

It also aims to provide the student with the knowledge of the main chemical-physical and metallurgical phenomena related to the design of metallic materials in relation to the microstructure and desired properties.

At the end of the lessons and individual study the student will have acquired and consolidated theoretical knowledge on the structure, microstructure and transformations of metallic materials. Specifically, the student will be able to:

• know the main components of metallic materials

• relate the different types of crystalline defects with the properties of metallic materials

• understand the solid state phase transformations in these materials and the importance of these aspects for their design

PREREQUISITES

Since it is a master's degree course on metallic materials, the following basic knowledge is required, provided in fundamental courses of the bachelor courses in chemistry and materials science:
- fundamental aspects of the most common structures of metals
- two-component phase diagrams
- functions and principles of thermodynamics
This knowledge is taken for granted and constitutes the basis for understanding the topics of the course and taking the exam.

TEACHING METHODS

The teaching (4 CFU corresponding to 32 hours) consists of lectures in which the theory for each topic is explained, then applied to practical examples and, depending on the case, also to the resolution of exercises. The explanations, where possible, are assisted by the use of appropriate software (for example for the visualization of crystalline structures) which make the understanding of some of the topics covered more immediate and effective.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Metallic elements. Notes on the metallic bond. Solid solutions, interstitial and substitutional, ordered and disordered. Intermetallic compounds: structure and properties. Structure-sensitive and structure-insensitive properties. The ideal and the real crystal. Crystal defects and their classification. Point defects: vacancies, interstitials, impurities. Defect concentration at the equilibrium state. Experimental study of point defects at  thermal equilibrium and out of equilibrium state. Notes on linear defects: dislocations. Other types of 2D and 3D defects: surfaces, grain borders, precipitates, vacancy precipitation. Influence of defects on the properties of metallic materials. Diffusion in metals: macroscopic and microscopic aspects. Volume diffusion. Diffusion in homogeneous and eterogeneous systems. Diffusion coefficient and its experimental dependence from temperature. Atomic mechanisms of diffusion. Diffusion in alloys. Short circuits of diffusion. Homogeneous and eterogeneous solid state phase transitions. Phase transitions without diffusion.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

- Material distributed by the teacher, available on the AulaWeb site

- “Physical Metallurgy”, R.W.Cahn, Ed. P.Haasen, North-Holland, Amsterdam

- “Inorganic Structural Chemistry”, Second Edition, Ulrich Muller, Ed. John Wiley & Sons, England

- “Diffusion in Solids- Fundamentals, Methods, Materials, Diffusion-Controlled Processes”, Helmut Mehrer, Springer series in Solid-State Sciences, Ed. Springer-Verlag, Germany

- Materials Science and Engineering – an Introduction, William D. Callister, Jr. David G. Rethwisch, Ed. John Wiley & Sons, England

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

SERENA DE NEGRI (President)

RICCARDO FRECCERO

PAVLO SOLOKHA (President Substitute)

DIEGO COLOMBARA (Substitute)

SIMONA DELSANTE (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

From the 25th February, 2025

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is oral, it  is always conducted by two teachers and lasts approximately 45 minutes

ASSESSMENT METHODS

With the examination methods indicated above, the commission is able to accurately verify the achievement of the teaching objectives. In fact, during the interview the commission evaluates both the knowledge acquired by the student and his / her ability to expose them, argue them, connect them and apply them to practical examples. When the objectives are not achieved, the student is invited to deepen the study and to ask further explanations to the teachers.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.