METALLURGY

Knowledge and understanding

The course aims to provide knowledge of the basic phenomena of metallurgy, to able students to understand the properties and behavior of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys, as well as the effects of the main technological treatments, also in relation to different operating conditions, with particular reference to the main degradation phenomena of metal alloys in service. This knowledge will be supplemented by addressing the issues related to the environmental impact of the production, use, and disposal of metallic materials.

 

Applying knowledge and understanding

By the end of the course, students will be able to understand the origin of the properties of metallic material, select the most appropriate material for a specific application, define the most suitable treatment to improve its properties for given operating conditions, and evaluate the durability and sustainability of the chosen solutions.

The course will be taught in English. It includes theoretical lessons aimed at providing the  required knowledge, supplemented by practical exercises and case-study analyses to develop application skills.

If the course is delivered in blended or remote mode, appropriate adjustments may be made to the above, in order to ensure consistency with the syllabus.

Knowledge of Physics and Chemistry (important)

Basics of mechanical behavior of materials (useful)

Mandatory

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 irons
• 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

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, 2020 (consultation book)

Additional teaching materials include the lecture slides, which will be made available on the Studium portal (studium.unict.it).

The learning assessment consists of a final oral exam. Evaluation criteria include: the relevance of the answers, the quality of their content, the ability to connect different topics within the course program, the ability to provide examples, mastery of technical language, and overall communication skills.

During the course, optional ongoing tests will be scheduled, consisting of individual interviews on pre-determined course content. If students pass these tests, the corresponding topics will be excluded from the final oral exam. Participation in the ongoing tests is optional, and neither non-participation nor a negative result precludes access to the final oral exam, or affects the final grade.

Learning assessment may also be carried out online, should the conditions require it.

To guarantee 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 (Centre for Active and Participated Integration - Services for Disabilities and/or SLD) referencing teacher within the Department where the Degree Course is included (https://www.cinap.unict.it/content/referenti).

• Define the main types of defects in crystal lattices
• Describe the mechanisms and laws of diffusion in crystalline solids
• Interpret the Fe-C phase diagram by describing and quantifying phases and structural constituents
• Describe the main heat treatments for steel and their effects
• Identify the phases that characterize the creep phenomenon and the corresponding microstructural mechanisms
• Describe the main forms of corrosion