I - Introduction to Materials Science
Classification and properties of main classes of materials. Interatomic bonding in materials and potential energy curves. Crystalline materials: crystal systems, crystal lattices, examples of crystal structures in different materials, crystal defectes. Amorphous materials. Main tests for the characterization of the mechanical behaviour of materials. Relationships between mechanical behaviour and material structure. Survey of the main classes of ceramic materials.
II - Polymeric Materials
Structure of polymeric macromolecules. Thermoplastic and thermoset polymers. Elastomers. Copolymers and polymer blends. Molecular masses and distributions. Polymeric additives. Structure of polymeric solids. Thermal behaviour. Mechanical behaviour. Manufacturing processes. Degradative phenomena. Properties and applications of main industrial polymers.
III - Composite Materials
Classification of composite materials. Main types of reinforcement. Properties of typical fibers. Main manufacturing processes of polymer-matrix composites. Properties of unidirectional composites. Properties of short-fibre composites. Micromechanical models predicting the properties of unidirectional and short-fibre composites.