METALLURGY

The aim of the course is to provide the knowledge on the basic phenomena of metallurgy, to understand the properties and the behavior of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys in operating conditions, and the effects of the main technological treatments. This knowledge will be completed by introducing the problems related to the environmental impact of production, use, and disposal of metallic materials. Lastly, the course aims to put the student in the conditions to interpret the degradation phenomena of metal alloys in operating conditions, and to select the most appropriate material for the specific application, define the most suitable treatment to improve its properties according to the conditions of use, and make assessments in terms of environmental sustainability of the chosen solutions.

The course includes theoretical lessons, supplemented by exercises and application examples.

Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode or remotely, it may be necessary to introduce changes with respect to previous statements, in line with the programme planned and outlined in the syllabus.

The learning assessment consists in a final oral exam.
During the course, on-going checks are foreseen. These checks are optional. Failure to participate does not preclude access to the final oral exam, nor does it affect the final outcome of the same.

Learning assessment may also be carried out on-line, should the conditions require it.

Process Metallurgy

Raw materials and preliminary treatments - Extractive metallurgy

Physical Metallurgy

Metallic structure, crystalline imperfections, plastic deformation - Solid solutions - Diffusion mechanisms - Phase transformations, nucleation, solidification - Phase diagrams - Solid-state phase transformations, recrystallization, precipitation

Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal Alloys

Iron-carbon system and heat treatments of steel - Alloying elements and their effects - Types and properties of steels and cast iron - Non-ferrous metals and alloys

Applied Metallurgy

Characterization and analysis of metallic materials - Fracture - Fatigue - Creep - Corrosion and degradation phenomena - Metallurgy of additive manufactured metal components

Materials and Environmental Sustainability

Analysis of material life cycle - Environmental impact of extractive metallurgy - Environmental characterization and recycling of metallic materials

1 - F.C. Campbell, Elements of Metallurgy and Engineering Alloys, ASM International, 2007

2 - G.E. Dieter, Mechanical Metallurgy, McGraw-Hill, 1988

3 - P. Pedeferri, Corrosion Science and Engineering, Springer, 2018

4 - M.F. Ashby, Materials and the Environment, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2013