MATERIALS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES

Academic Year 2026/2027 - Teacher: LORENA SAITTA

Expected Learning Outcomes

The aim of the course is to introduce material structures, materials structure-property relationship and some of the most important technological process. Metals, ceramics, polymers and composites will be interoduced but a special focus will be devoted to polymeric materials. Introduction to material recycling methodology will be provided and Life Cycle Analysis techniques will be shortly presented.

Course Structure

The course will be done through lectures, ongoing tests and exercises.

Required Prerequisites

Chemistry
Mechanical behavior of materials or Structural Mechanics (preferred)

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance is considered mandatory. However, exemptions to this requirement are in force for students who are employed.

Detailed Course Content

1. Summary of the course

2. Atomic structure and interatomic bonding

3. The Structure of Crystalline Solids

4. Imperfections in Solids

5. Diffusion

6. Mechanical Properties of Metals

7. Dislocations and Strengthening Mechanisms

8. Failure

9. Polymer structure

10. Characteristics, Applications, and Processing of Polymers

11. Composite material

12. Materials and environment: an overview of material life cycles and material degradation

13. Introduction to Additive Manufacturing

Textbook Information

Materials Science and Engineering, Callister, Ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Materials Science of Polymers for Engineers, Tim A. Osswald and George Menges, Ed. Hanser.
Principles of Materials Science and Engineering, W.F. Smith, McGraw Hill

Course Planning

	Subjects	Text References
1	Metal defects	1 and 2
2	Mechanical properties of metals	1 and 2
3	Dislocations and strengthening mechanisms	1 and 2
4	Failure mechanism	1 and 2
5	Polymer structures	1, 2 plus teacher notes
6	Mechanical properties and processing of polymers	1, 2 plus teacher notes
7	Introduction to life cycle analysis (LCA)	1, 2 plus teacher notes
8	Polymer recycling	Teacher notes
9	Composite materials	Teacher notes

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Oral and intermediate tests.

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

To ensure equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, interested students may request a personal interview in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measures based on educational objectives and specific needs. Students can also contact the CInAP (Centro per l'integrazione Attiva e Partecipata - Servizi per le Disabilità e/o i DSA) referring teacher within their department (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Describe the differences between thermoplastics and thermosets.
Describe the properties of matrix composites by illustrating the advantages over other material classes.
List and describe the crystalline structures defects describing their influence on the mechanical and technological properties of processing.
Materials failure: Illustrate the differences between fatigue, creep and fracture.

Degree Course in

Chemical Engineering for Industrial Sustainability