| CODE |
MME4215 |
|
| TITLE |
Composite Materials |
|
| LEVEL |
04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course |
|
| ECTS CREDITS |
5 |
|
| DEPARTMENT |
Metallurgy and Materials Engineering |
|
| DESCRIPTION |
An introduction on composite materials will be given. A clear distinction will be made between the matrix and the reinforcement. The different kind of reinforcements available (particulate, whiskers, fibres etc) together with the three classes of fibres (natural, synthetic and organic) will be discussed in some detail. The importance of reinforcement-matrix interface will be highlighted.
The three classes of composite materials: polymer-; ceramic-; and metal-matrix composites will be introduced and discussed in detail. The properties of the three classes of composites together with their respective material processing techniques and joining methods will be covered. Special attention to polymer matrix composites will be given due to the fact that these type of composites are the most popular in engineering and everyday applications.
Micromechanics of composites will be explained . Deriving and understanding the: Stiffness-; Compliance-; and ABD-matrices will give a preparation in undertaking Finite Element Analysis of composite materials in the future.
Study-unit Aims
To provide a comprehensive introduction to composite materials-the underlying science, principles, properties, the engineering applications, and the production. To focus on the most widely-used composites (polymer matrices with fibrous reinforcement) but also addresses metal and ceramic matrix systems.
Learning Outcomes
1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
1. list and describe the three different classes of composites;
2. describe the three different classes of fibres and highlight their importance;
3. appreciate the importance of reinforcement-matrix interface;
4. describe the different material processing techniques for composite materials;
5. derive stiffness-; compliance- and ABD-matrices for composite laminates
2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:
1. select a suitable composite according to the application;
2. select a suitable composite material processing method according to the application;
3 correlate the composite material properties with the processing technique;
4. link reinforcement-matrix interface with composite material properties;
5. calculate stiffness and strength which can be used in FEA packages in the future.
Main Text/s and any supplementary readings
Main Textbook:
[1] Composite Materials: Engineering and Science - F. L. Matthews and R. D. Rawlings
(CRC Press, 1999)
Available - UOM library
Supplementary Text:
[1] ASM Handbook Volume 21: Composites - D.B. Miracle and S.L. Donaldson (ASM
International, 2001)
Available - UOM library |
|
| ADDITIONAL NOTES |
Pre-requisite Study-units: MME1201 and MME2204 |
|
| STUDY-UNIT TYPE |
Lecture, Independent Study & Tutorial |
|
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
| Assessment Component/s |
Resit Availability |
Weighting |
| Oral Examination |
Yes |
25% |
| Examination (2 Hours)
|
Yes |
75% |
|
|
| LECTURER/S |
Joseph Buhagiar |
|
| STATUS |
Currently In Use |
|
| Last Updated: 24 November 2011 |
| |
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the study-unit description above applies to the academic year 2011/2.
|
11 February 2012
http://www.um.edu.mt/eng/studyunit
