METALLURGY

Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: FABIO GIUDICE

Expected Learning Outcomes

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, and the effects of the main technological treatments, also in relation to different types of conditions of use, with particular reference to the main degradation phenomena of metal alloys in operating conditions. 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 understand the origin of the metallic material properties, 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.

Course Structure

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 teaching material consists of the slides of the lessons and additional documentation (studium.unict.it).

Required Prerequisites

Knowledge of Physics and Chemistry (important)

Basics of mechanical behavior of materials (useful)

Attendance of Lessons

Mandatory

Detailed Course Content

Process Metallurgy

Raw materials and preliminary treatments

Extractive metallurgy

Conversion and refining processes

Physical Metallurgy

Metallic structure, crystalline defects, plastic deformation

Solid solutions and solid-state diffusion phenomena

Phase transformations, nucleation, solidification

Solid-state phase transformations, recrystallization, precipitation

Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal Alloys

Iron-carbon system and heat treatments of steels

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 of metallic materials

Hydrogen-induced damage phenomena

Metallurgy of additive manufactured metal components

Materials and Environmental Sustainability

Materials life cycle and sustainability

Environmental impact in process metallurgy

Environmental characterization and recycling of metallic materials

Textbook Information

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

2 - A. Sili, Metallurgy, Associazione Italiana di Metallurgia, 2022 (consultation book)

3 - P. Pedeferri, Corrosion Science and Engineering, Springer, 2018 (reference book)

4 - M.F. Ashby, Materials and the Environment, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2013 (consultation book)

Course Planning

	Subjects	Text References
1	Raw materials and preliminary treatments	2 and teacher notes
2	Extractive metallurgy	2 and teacher notes
3	Conversion and refining processes	2 and teacher notes
4	Metallic structure, crystalline defects, plastic deformation	1 - 2
5	Solid solutions and solid-state diffusion phenomena	1 - 2
6	Phase transformations, nucleation, solidification	1 - 2
7	Solid-state phase transformations, recrystallization, precipitation	1 - 2
8	Iron-carbon system and heat treatments of steels	1
9	Alloying elements and their effects	1 - 2
10	Types and properties of steels and cast iron	1 - 2
11	Non-ferrous metals and alloys	1 - 2
12	Characterization and analysis of metallic materials	1 and teacher notes
13	Fracture, fatigue, creep	1
14	Corrosion of metallic materials	1 - 3
15	Hydrogen-induced damage phenomena	3
16	Metallurgy of additive manufactured metal components	Teacher notes
17	Materials life cycle and sustainability	4 and teacher notes
18	Environmental impact in process metallurgy	Teacher notes
19	Environmental characterization and recycling of metallic materials	4 and teacher notes

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

The learning assessment consists in a final oral exam. Elements to be evaluated: relevance of the answers, quality of their contents, ability to connect with other topics within the program, ability to report examples, quality of technical language, and overall expressive ability.

During the course, midterm tests will be planned. These tests 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.

To guarantee equal opportunities and in compliance with current laws, students can request a meeting in order to plan any compensatory and/or dispensatory measure, according to the educational goals and specific needs. In this case, itis advisable to contact the CInAP (Centre for Active and Participated Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or SLD) reference professor of the Department where the Degree Course is included.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

Define the main types of defects in crystal lattices

Describe mechanisms and laws of diffusion in crystalline solids

Interpret the Fe-C diagram by describing and quantifying the phases and structural constituents

Describe the main heat treatments for steels, and their effects

Define the phases that characterize the creep phenomenon and the corresponding microstructural mechanisms

Describe the main types of corrosive phenomena

Degree Course in

Chemical Engineering for Industrial Sustainability