This course aims to:

• Provide a detailed consideration of the processing and mechanical properties of engineering ceramics and ceramic matrix composites
• Provide an introduction to the allied topics of functional ceramics, fractography and design

Upon successful completion of the course and associated assessment package, students will be able to:

• Describe and select appropriate processing conditions for a range of ceramic materials.
• Describe and predict the microstructural features that will result from a particular processing route.
• Understand the relationships between processing, microstructural development and properties in a range of ceramic materials.
• Use statistical methods to predict the strength of a ceramic in a range of loading regimes and environments.
• Predict, qualitatively and semi-quantitatively, the fracture behaviour of a range of ceramic microstructures subject to simple mechanical loading, indentation, wear by hard particles and thermal stresses
• Describe and account for the differences in mechanical behaviour of monolithic ceramics and ceramic matrix composites.

Appreciate the uses and limitations of ceramic materials

Overview of Ceramic Applications and Markets

Processing – Powders and Green Bodies

Processing – Densification

Processing of Ceramic Matrix Composites

Mechanical Properties of Ceramics: Introduction

Mechanical Properties of Ceramics: Statistical Nature of Strength

Mechanical Properties of Composites

Elevated Temperature Behaviour

Wear of Ceramics

Thermomechanical Behaviour

Oxide Ceramics

Non-Oxide Ceramics

Environmental Degradation

Designing with Ceramics

Fractography

Functional Ceramics: From Principles to Applications

Intensive five day teaching period including lectures and tutorials, followed by assessment package of a nominal 120 hours work, to be submitted within six months (part-time) or six weeks (full-time) of the end of the course week.

Total student learning time 150 hours.

Required reading

None

Recommended background reading

Davidge RW, Mechanical Behaviour of Ceramics, Cambridge University Press, 1979. (ISBN 05212 19159)