Specific competencies:



CRI3. Knowledge of the fundamentals of materials science, technology, and chemistry. Understanding the relationship between microstructure, synthesis or processing, and material properties.



Transversal competencies:



C13. Apply strategies from the scientific methodology: analyze problem situations qualitatively and quantitatively, formulate hypotheses and solutions using engineering models.

C14. Work effectively in a group, integrating skills and knowledge to make decisions in the field of engineering.



Learning outcomes:



- Employ appropriately the specific terminology of the subject, expressing the basic fundamentals of materials science by the proper use of graphic, mathematical and verbal language (CRI3).

- Distinguish the main types of materials and relate their different characteristics with their various applications (CRI3).

- Link the internal structure of materials with their specific physicochemical and mechanical properties, establishing the impact these properties have on the practical use of each material (C13).

- Understand the concept of equilibrium state of a material and reason in which way a mechanical or thermal treatment may change the equilibrium state and, therefore, the material properties (CRI3).

- Work cooperatively in tasks framed in the field of materials science, dealing with team tasks and analyzing and discussing ideas contributed by the other team members (C14).

Theoretical contents:



Unit 1. Materials science. Introduction. Structure / properties relationships.

Unit 2. Mechanical properties. Concepts of stress and strain. Tensile test and properties. Hardness and hardness tests. Plastic deformation and deformation mechanisms. Annealing. Fracture. Fatigue.

Unit 3. Structure of materials: subatomic, atomic and microstructure. Analysis of the structure at different levels, based on the knowledge at the atomic and molecular level. Crystalline and amorphous structures. Defects in the crystal structures. Dislocations and plastic deformation. Strengthening mechanisms.

Unit 4. Phase diagrams. Types of phase diagrams. Eutectic and eutectoid points. Eutectic and eutectoid reactions. Phase diagram of steel (Fe/C). Cast irons.

Unit 5. Phase transformations in metals. Phase transformations of steel. Isotherms transformations and diagrams. Continuous cooling transformations and diagrams.

Unit 6. Thermal and thermochemical treatments in metal alloys. Annealing: full annealing, normalizing and spheroidization. Temple: hardenability and diagrams. Precipitation hardening. Thermochemical treatments: Atomic diffusion in solids. Industrial applications. Cementation. Nitriding. Carbonitriding. Cyanidation. Sulfinización.

Unit 7. Metal alloys. Ferrous alloys. Low alloy steels. Stainless steels. Non-ferrous alloys.

Unit 8. Ceramic materials and glasses. Structures. Processing. Common and engineering ceramic materials. Glasses. Properties and applications of ceramic materials.

Unit 9. Polymeric materials. Polymers characteristics. Classifications. Types of polymers: structure and properties. Applications.

Unit 10. Composite materials. Components. Processing. Properties and applications.



Practical contents:



A series of laboratory practices will be developed to complement and reinforce the theoretical concepts addressed in the lectures, in order to provide a practical understanding of the theoretical concepts discussed in class.

To develop the contents of the previous section and achieve the corresponding learning objectives, the following methodology will be implemented during face-to-face teaching:



Lectures (M): the lectures (2 hours/week) will be dedicated to explain theoretical and practical contents, complemented by illustrative examples. This content will be aligned with the topics detailed in the previous section. This approach aims to facilitate the understanding of fundamental concepts and provide a solid theoretical foundation for students.



Classroom practices (PA): the classroom practices (1 hour/week) will focus on problem-solving and carrying out tasks. These activities can be individual or group-based and will be designed in accordance with the topics or blocks of topics covered in the lectures. Besides applying the acquired knowledge in a practical environment, promoting analysis and problem-solving, the PA will be conducted using active methodologies, allowing students to participate in the construction of their knowledge and take on greater responsibility.



Laboratory practices (PL): the laboratory practices (2 hours/every two weeks) will allow students to experimentally apply the concepts learned, thereby reinforcing their understanding and practical skills.



The basic material necessary to properly follow the course and complete the assigned tasks and projects will be available on eGela.



If health conditions prevent face-to-face teaching and/or assessment activities, a non-face-to-face modality will be activated, and students will be informed promptly.

In order to pass the subject, both in Continuous Evaluation and Final Evaluation, the student must pass a theoretical test of minimum contents (Topic 1) with a score of 5.0 out of 10. Students will have three opportunities to pass this test. The first test will take place during the first week of October. The remaining two opportunities will be on the dates set for the official exam in the ordinary and extraordinary calls of the subject. If the student does not pass the test, they will not be able to pass the subject.



The recommended evaluation system is Continuous Evaluation, to optimize the learning process and the acquisition of competencies. In this case, the following evaluation system will be followed:



- Official exam in the ordinary call: the exam will account for 60% of the final grade and will consist of two distinct parts: theoretical and problem-solving. The theoretical part will account for 40% of the grade, and the problem-solving part will account for 60%. To pass the subject, the student must achieve at least 4.0 out of 10 in each part and a final score of 5.0/10.



- Laboratory practices: performing the practices is mandatory and accounts for 20% of the final grade. Before the practice, the student must review the corresponding guide and the related concepts presented in the classroom. If the instructor detects that this prior work has not been done, they may prevent the practice from being carried out in the laboratory. All practices will be evaluated. For this purpose, the student will submit the corresponding report or evaluation test for each practice. At the end of the practices, a written practice exam will be included at the end of the semester. The final practice grade will be obtained from both tasks, 40% from reports/tests and 60% from the written exam. The minimum score in both parts must be at least 4.0/10 to average, and a final minimum score of 5.0/10 must be obtained. Depending on the characteristics of the course, students who enroll for the second time and have passed the practices may be exempt from performing them a second time, and the grade will be the one obtained in the previous course. This grade will only be retained for one academic year.



- Teamwork: throughout the course, and as long as the group size permits, a series of activities (20%) will be carried out. These may include problem-solving and case studies, written tests or questionnaires, oral presentations, among others.



Clarifications:



- To pass the subject and make the corresponding averages, students must pass the exams and practices (5.0/10), as well as obtain a minimum grade of 4.0/10 in the teamwork activities proposed throughout the course.



- To pass the subject through continuous evaluation, it is necessary to complete all evaluation activities and submit them within the established deadline.



- When a student takes the final written test or the practice exam, they are participating in that call. To withdraw from the call, they must not take either of the two exams.



- If health conditions prevent face-to-face teaching and/or evaluation activities, a non-face-to-face modality will be activated, and students will be informed promptly.



Withdrawal from Continuous Evaluation: in accordance with the Student Evaluation Regulations for Degree Programs, students have the right to withdraw from continuous evaluation and be assessed through the final evaluation system. To do this, they must submit a written request to the course instructor within 9 weeks from the start of the semester, according to the academic calendar of the center.



If the student opts for final evaluation, the evaluation system will be as follows:



- Official exam in the ordinary call: the exam will account for 80% of the final grade and will consist of two distinct parts: theoretical and problem-solving. The theoretical part will account for 40% of the grade, and the problem-solving part will account for 60%. To pass the subject, the student must achieve at least 4.0 out of 10 in each part and a final score of 5.0/10.



- Laboratory practices (20%): if the student opts for final evaluation instead of continuous evaluation, they will have two options: they can perform the practices following the criteria described in the continuous evaluation section, or they can choose not to attend the laboratory practices. In the latter case, in addition to the written practice exam, if they pass this exam, they must take a practical exam in the laboratory. To pass the practices, they must obtain at least 5.0/10 in both tests.



According to the Student Evaluation Regulations for Degree Programs, since the weight of the written test exceeds 40% of the subject grade, it will be sufficient not to take this test for the final course grade to be marked as not presented.

Scientific calculator.

Basic bibliography

W. D. Callister. Materials Science and Engeneering: An Introduction. Reverté. 1997.

W. J. Smith, J. Hashemi. Foundations of Materials Science and Engineering. McGraw-Hill. 2006.

J. M. Montes, F. G. Cuevas, J. Cintas. Materials Science and Engineering. Ediciones Paraninfo SA. 1ª ed. 2014.

In-depth bibliography

P. L. Mangonon. The Principles of Materials Selection for Engineering Design. Prentice Hall. 2001.
R. B. Seymour, C. E. Carraher. Polymer Chemistry: An Introduction. Reverté. 1995.
A. Miravete. Composite Materials. Reverté. 2007.