MTE3203 · Introduction to ceramics: Properties, processing and applications

Overview

Ceramics are one of the most diverse material classes in the world. With origins in basic pottery, dating back more than 20,000 years, dramatic advances in their properties and their applications have been made over the past century. This unit will provide an introduction to ceramics for engineering. In the contexts of traditional and modern ceramics, you will learn about their history, their general compositions and how these impact the resulting structural, mechanical, optical, thermal and electrical properties. The dependence of these properties on their manufacturing processes will be discussed. This will enable an understanding of why and how such ceramics are used in applications that are well established, such as concrete and glass, and those that are emerging, like fuel cells and photovoltaics.

Areas of study: E3001 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) - Specialisation: Materials engineering E6011 Master of Professional Engineering - Specialisation: Materials engineering

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook lists an examination for this unit.

Continuous assessment: 60% Final assessment: 40% This unit contains a hurdle requirement 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. Describe in detail the properties and processing methods of commonly used industrial and emerging ceramics.
2. Describe how the properties of ceramics are correlated to their structure.
3. Critically discuss the use of traditional ceramics within common industrial applications.
4. Appraise the use of modern ceramics within emerging application areas.
5. Appreciate the properties of ceramics and their suitability for given applications through laboratory work.

Workload

The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-4 hours of scheduled learning activities and 8-9 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.