OVERVIEW

The course in Advanced Metallurgy provides an overview of metallic alloy manufacturing technologies, with particular emphasis on high performance materials and innovative processing methods.

It covers a range of production and processing techniques including powder metallurgy, welding, heat treatment, plastic forming and additive manufacturing. The course also addresses issues of corrosion and strategies for improving the mechanical and physical properties of metallic materials through microstructural modification.

Knowledge of Advanced Metallurgy equips students to critically evaluate manufacturing technologies and select the most appropriate materials for complex applications in a variety of fields, including mechanical engineering, aerospace, energy and biomedical engineering.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The teaching aims to consolidate the basic metallurgical knowledge and introduce the physical and applied metallurgy, with emphasis on strengthening processes in steels, aluminium alloys a and their industrial implications. The methods of alloying, plastic deformation, precipitation and secondary hardening will be examined, with reference to the effects on the main mechanical and physical properties. The course will also introduce powder metallurgy, welding and additive manufacturing techniques as well as wet and dry corrosion issues. The integration of this knowledge will enable students to develop a critical approach to the selection and optimization of metallic materials for advanced applications in areas such as manufacturing, structural engineering, and high-performance component design.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course will deepen students’ understanding of metallic materials with particular emphasis on the interplay between microstructure and mechanical, physical and functional properties.

Advanced manufacturing and processing methods as well as the most relevant high-performance alloys for current industrial practise are presented. Building on the foundations laid in “Metallurgy 1” (steels and cast irons), the course extends the knowledge to alloys developed for applications requiring superior mechanical strength or excellent corrosion and wear resistance.

By the end of the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of key advanced alloys that includes:

•            Manufacturing and finishing routes

•            mechanical and thermomechanical processing,

•            thermal and chemical treatments,

•            Corrosion mechanisms and protection strategies,

•            key high technology applications.

These competences enable students to:

•            select metallic materials and delivery conditions at the design stage to meet specific property requirements;

•            diagnose the structural and technological behaviour of the materials covered in the course;

•            evaluate the influence of service conditions on performance and durability;

•            Propose processing or treatment solutions to optimise mechanical properties and extend component life;

•            further explore the advanced topics introduced in the course.

PREREQUISITES

Each topic will be introduced progressively and in context. However, to better address the contents, students are expected to have a solid foundational knowledge acquired in Metallurgy 1. In particular, the following prerequisites are essential:

•            phase diagrams and transformation mechanisms,

•            heat treatments of carbon steels

•            metallographic analysis and material structure

•            basic crystallography

•            mechanical testing methods.

The course includes an introduction to ferrous and non-ferrous metal alloys, which are of interest for advanced applications. The first part of the programme focuses on the designation of alloys, heat and mechanical treatments. Then the processes of sintering, welding, additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing and alloy strengthening methods are covered with references and application examples. The degradation of metallic materials under operating conditions, corrosion and oxidation at high temperatures are also covered

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of 6 CFU of traditional lectures (48 hours) covering the theory and application examples.

Students are encouraged to engage in constant dialogue with teachers in order to promote interactive and active teaching for both parties.

The teaching methods adopted with the use of slides prepared by the teacher and technical sheets and case studies resulting from research or consultancy activities are planned consistently with the aim of achieving the learning outcomes outlined for teaching while at the same time promoting their achievement by students.

Students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities (DSA) are reminded that in order to request adaptations during the exam, they must first enter the certification on the University website at servizionline.unige.it in the “Students” section. The documentation will be verified by the University Services Sector for the inclusion of students with disabilities and with DSA (https://rubrica.unige.it/strutture/struttura/100111).

Subsequently, well in advance (at least 10 days) of the exam date, an email must be sent to the teacher with whom the exam will be taken, copying both the School Contact Teacher for the inclusion of students with disabilities and with DSA (sergio.didomizio@unige.it) and the Sector indicated above. In the email you must specify:

• the name of the course

• the date of the exam

• the surname, name and student number

• the compensatory tools and dispensatory measures deemed functional and required.

The contact person will confirm to the teacher that the applicant has the right to request adaptations during the exam and that such adaptations must be agreed with the teacher. The teacher will respond by communicating whether it is possible to use the requested adaptations.

Requests must be sent at least 10 days before the exam date in order to allow the teacher to evaluate the content. In particular, if you intend to use concept maps for the exam (which must be much more concise than the maps used for studying), if the sending does not respect the expected times, there will not be the technical time necessary to make any changes.

For further information regarding the request for services and adaptations, consult the document: Guidelines for the request for services, compensatory tools and/or dispensatory measures and specific aids

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

The course includes an introduction to ferrous and non-ferrous metal alloys, which are of interest for advanced applications. The first part of the programme focuses on the designation of alloys, heat and mechanical treatments. Then the processes of sintering, welding, additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing and alloy strengthening methods are covered with references and application examples. The degradation of metallic materials under operating conditions, corrosion and oxidation at high temperatures are also covered.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All slides used for the lectures and other material will be available on Aulaweb. For more information, on preparing for the exam, the following texts are suggested:

•            I. Polmear,‎ D. StJohn,‎ J.-F. Nie,‎ M. Qian, Light Alloys: Metallurgy of the Light Metals, Butterworth-Heinemann; 5 edition

•            Bhaskar Dutta, Sudarsanam Babu, Bradley H. Jared, Science, Technology and Applications of Metals in Additive Manufacturing, 1st Edition - August 15, 2019, Elsevier

•            R. E. Smallman, A.H.W. Ngan, Modern Physical Metallurgy, 8th Edition - September 4, 2013, Butterworth-Heinemann

•            J. C. Warner, R. Dean Odell, and Daniel A. Brandt, Metallurgy Fundamentals, 7th Edition, 2025

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Last week of September

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam is oral.

The examination is an oral interview consisting in three questions that contribute in equal parts to the evaluation (10/30 each).

The first question is focused on a processing or modification of materials properties. In the second and third questions the student is asked to illustrate and discuss specific aspects of selected alloys introduced during the course. Il voto finale corrisponde alla somma dei punti acquisiti con le risposte.

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 teacher and with Professor Sergio Di Domizio (sergio.didomizio@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam aims to verify the acquisition of an adequate knowledge by the student on the teaching topics, in particular the advanced processing technologies and properties of the main alloys. The student should be able to use 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 with additional explanation before repeating the exam.