MTE3103 · Materials life cycle

Overview

This unit will cover different aspects related to an industrial material’s lifecycle, from its production to application in service, and culminating in its end-of-life. It will delve into fundamental sciences that govern interactions of materials with environments, and compare methods typically used to extend service lives of common industrial materials. Various methods used to process materials after their service, such as recycling, biodegradation, downcycling and landfill will be compared in the context of environmental/economic sustainability.

Areas of study: E3001 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Specialisation: Materials engineering

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Continuous assessment: 50% Final assessment: 50% This unit contains threshold hurdle requirements that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grade (NH) and a maximum mark of 45 for the unit.

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

Learning outcomes

1. Discuss different aspects of a material’s lifecycle from synthesis to application to degradation.
2. Analyse scientific mechanisms underpinning the interaction of materials with service environments.
3. Formulate appropriate methods to enable life extension of materials in service based on contextual information.
4. Assess the end-of-life effects of materials and their impact on the environment.
5. Discuss methods used to enhance the sustainability of different materials at various stages of their service life.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.