About this course: Have you ever wondered why ceramics are hard and brittle while metals tend to be ductile? Why some materials conduct heat or electricity while others are insulators? Why adding just a small amount of carbon to iron results in an alloy that is so much stronger than the base metal? In this course, you will learn how a material’s properties are determined by the microstructure of the material, which is in turn determined by composition and the processing that the material has undergone. This is the first of three Coursera courses that mirror the Introduction to Materials Science class that is taken by most engineering undergrads at Georgia Tech. The aim of the course is to help students better understand the engineering materials that are used in the world around them. This first section covers the fundamentals of materials science including atomic structure and bonding, crystal structure, atomic and microscopic defects, and noncrystalline materials such as glasses, rubbers, and polymers.
Created by: Georgia Institute of Technology
Taught by: Thomas H. Sanders, Jr., Regents' Professor
School of Materials Science and Engineering
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Introduction [Difficulty: Easy || Student Effort: 1hr 30mins]
This module will introduce the core principles of materials science. Topics that will be covered include the different general material types (metal, ceramic, polymer, etc.) and the properties associated with each type, some methods that are used to experimentally determine and quantify a material's properties, and how a materials engineer might go about choosing a suitable material for a simple application. This module also introduces the concept of the microstructure-processing-properties relationship which is at the heart of all materials science.
14 videos, 4 readings
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Reading: Consent Form
- Video: 1.1 Introduction
- Video: 1.2 Metals
- Video: 1.3 Ceramics
- Video: 1.4 Polymers
- Video: 1.5 Semiconductors
- Video: 1.6 Composites
- Video: 1.7 Correlated Properties
- Video: 1.8 Materials Design Paradigm
- Video: 1.9 Application to Product Design
- Video: 1.10A Mechanical Tests Part 1
- Video: 1.10B Mechanical Tests Part 2
- Video: 1.10C Mechanical Tests Part 3
- Video: 1.10D Mechanical Tests Part 4
- Video: 1.11 Conclusion
- Reading: Supplemental Materials for this Module
- Reading: Get More from Georgia Tech
Graded: Quiz 1.1 (Lectures 1.1 - 1.5)
Graded: Quiz 1.2 (Lectures 1.6 - 1.10)
WEEK 2
Atomic Structure and Bonding [Difficulty: Easy || Student Effort: 2hrs]
In this module, we will discuss the structure of the atom, how atoms interact with each other, and how those interactions affect material properties. We will explore how the types of atoms present in a material determine what kind of bonding occurs, what differentiates the three types of primary bonds - metallic, ionic, and covalent, and the implications of the type of bonding on the material microstructure. You will learn how atoms arrange themselves as a natural result of their size and bonding. This knowledge will provide you with a foundation for understanding the relationship between a material's microstructure and its properties.
18 videos, 3 readings
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 2.1 Introduction
- Video: 2.2 Atomic Structure
- Video: 2.3 Periodic Chart and Electron Orbitals
- Video: 2.4 Modification for Atoms & Crystals
- Video: 2.5 Primary Bonds
- Video: 2.6A Ionic Bonds Part 1
- Video: 2.6B Ionic Bonds Part 2
- Video: 2.6C Ionic Bonds Part 3
- Video: 2.7A Radius Ratio & Coordination Number Part 1
- Video: 2.7B Radius Ratio & Coordination Number Part 2
- Video: 2.7C Radius Ratio & Coordination Number Part 3
- Video: 2.8 Covalent Bonds
- Video: 2.9 Mixed Bonds
- Video: 2.10 Weak Bonds
- Video: 2.11A Basic Thermodynamics Part 1
- Video: 2.11B Basic Thermodynamics Part 2
- Video: 2.12 Basic Kinetics
- Video: 2.13 Conclusion
- Reading: Supplemental Materials for this Module
- Reading: Earn a Georgia Tech Badge/Certificate/CEUs
Graded: Quiz 2.1 (Lectures 2.1 - 2.5)
Graded: Quiz 2.2 (Lectures 2.6 - 2.9)
Graded: Quiz 2.3 (Lectures 2.10 - 2.11)
Graded: Quiz 2.4 (All Module 2 Lectures)
WEEK 3
Crystalline Structure [Level of Difficulty: Medium || Student Effort: 2hrs 30mins]
This module covers how atoms are arranged in crystalline materials. Many of the materials that we deal with on a daily basis are crystalline, meaning that they are made up of a regularly repeating array of atoms. The "building block" of a crystal, which is called the Bravais lattice, dtermines some of the physical properties of a material. An understanding of these crystallographic principles will be vital to discussions of defects and diffusion, which are covered in the next module.
21 videos, 2 readings
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 3.1 Introduction
- Video: 3.2 Symmetry
- Video: 3.3 2-Dimensional Symmetry
- Video: 3.4 2-Dimensional Symmetry - Lattice and Basis
- Video: 3.5 Crystal Systems and Bravais Lattices
- Video: 3.6 Why the Bravais Lattice?
- Video: 3.7 FCC Hard Sphere Model
- Video: 3.8 BCC Hard Sphere Model
- Video: 3.9 Calculating Density
- Video: 3.10 Hard Sphere Packing
- Video: 3.11 Hard Sphere Packing - Visualization
- Video: 3.12 Miller Indices - Directions
- Video: 3.13 Miller Indices - Planes
- Video: 3.14 Miller Indices - Additional Planes of Interest
- Video: 3.15 Linear and Planar Densities
- Video: 3.16 Crystals with 2 Atoms per Lattice Point
- Video: 3.17 Crystals with 2 Ions or 2 Different Atoms per Lattice Point
- Video: 3.18 Crystals with Several Atoms per Lattice Point
- Video: 3.19 Polycrystalline Materials and Liquid Crystals
- Video: 3.20 X-Ray Diffraction and Crystal Structure
- Video: 3.21 Summary
- Reading: Supplemental Materials for this Module
Graded: Quiz 3.1 (Lectures 3.1 - 3.6)
Graded: Quiz 3.2 (Lectures 3.7 - 3.12)
Graded: Quiz 3.3 (Lectures 3.13 - 3.16)
Graded: Quiz 3.4 (Lectures 3.17 - 3.20)
WEEK 4
Point Defects and Diffusion [Level of Difficulty: Medium || Student Effort: 2hrs 30mins]
In the previous module, we learned how the lattice structure of a crystalline material in part determines the properties of that material. In this module, we will begin to learn how defects - deviations from the expected microstructure - also have a large effect on properties. This module covers one-dimensional, or point, defects which can be missing atoms (vacancies) or excess atoms (interstitial solution) or the wrong type of atom at a lattice point (substitutional solution). Building on these concepts, part of this module will cover diffusion - the movement of atoms through the crystal structure.
19 videos, 2 readings
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 4.1 Introduction
- Video: 4.2 Point Defects
- Video: 4.3 Point Defects in Ionic and Covalent Materials
- Video: 4.4 Substitutional Solid Solutions
- Video: 4.5 Solid Solutions - Vegard's Law
- Video: 4.6 Fick's First Law
- Video: 4.7 Self Diffusion
- Video: 4.8 Interstitial Solid Solutions
- Video: 4.9 Discussion Question
- Video: 4.10 Grain Boundary Effects
- Video: 4.11 Grain Boundaries as Short Circuit Paths
- Video: 4.12 Diffusion in Polymers
- Video: 4.13 Fick's Second Law - The Thin Film Solution
- Video: 4.14 Fick's Second Law - Modifications to the Thin Film Solution
- Video: 4.15 Case Hardening a Gear
- Video: 4.16 Case Hardening a Gear - Example Problem
- Video: 4.17 Development of a Useful Approximation
- Video: 4.18 Appllication to Engineering Materials
- Video: 4.19 Summary
- Reading: Supplemental Materials for this Module
Graded: Quiz 4.1 (Lectures 4.1 - 4.6)
Graded: Quiz 4.2 (Lectures 4.7 - 4.12)
Graded: Quiz 4.3 (All Module 4 Lectures)
WEEK 5
Linear, Planar, and Volumetric Defects [Level of Difficulty: Medium || Student Effort: 2hrs 40mins]
This module covers two- and three-dimensional defects such as dislocations, grain boundaries, and precipitates. The discussion extends to explain how deformation of a material is accommodated at the microscopic level. We will finish by addressing how the presence and properties of defects can increase or decrease the strength of a material.
23 videos, 2 readings
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 5.1 Introduction
- Video: 5.2 Normal and Shear Forces
- Video: 5.3 Edge Dislocations
- Video: 5.4 Dislocations and the Burgers Vector
- Video: 5.5 Critical Resolved Shear Stress
- Video: 5.6 Burgers Vector and Slip Planes
- Video: 5.7 Slip Systems in FCC Crystals
- Video: 5.8 Possible Slip in FCC Crystals
- Video: 5.9 Calculations in an FCC Crystal
- Video: 5.10 The Thompson Tetrahedron
- Video: 5.11 Dislocations in Action
- Video: 5.12 Calculations in a BCC Crystal
- Video: 5.13 Slip in Hexagonal Systems
- Video: 5.14 Application to Polycrystalline Materials
- Video: 5.15 Dislocation Boundaries - Low Angle Boundaries
- Video: 5.16 Dislocation Behavior
- Video: 5.17 Dislocations in Ionic Materials
- Video: 5.18 Grains, Grain Boundaries, and Surfaces
- Video: 5.19 Strengthening Mechanisms - Solute
- Video: 5.20 Strengthening Mechanisms - Dislocations
- Video: 5.21 Strengthening Mechanisms - Grain Size
- Video: 5.22 Strengthening Mechanisms - Volume (Precipitates)
- Video: 5.23 Summary
- Reading: Supplemental Materials for this Module
Graded: Quiz 5.1 (Lectures 5.1 - 5.8)
Graded: Quiz 5.2 (Lectures 5.9 -5.15)
Graded: Quiz 5.3 (Lectures 5.16 - 5.19)
Graded: Quiz 5.4 (Lectures 5.20 - 5.22)
WEEK 6
Noncrystalline and Semicrystalline Materials [Level of Difficulty: Medium || Student Effort: 2hrs 30mins]
In this module, we discuss materials that are not fully crystalline, such as polymers, rubbers, and glasses. You will learn how the absence of crystallinity affects the behavior of these materials and what factors affect their formation and properties. Lessons include discussions of the microstructure and defects in amorphous materials, partial cystallinity in polymers, and demonstrations of materials exhibiting ductile and brittle behavior at different temperatures.
24 videos, 3 readings, 3 practice quizzes
- Reading: Learning Outcomes
- Video: 6.1 Introduction
- Video: 6.2 Glass Transition Temperature
- Video: 6.3 The Kauzmann Paradox
- Video: 6.4 Viscosity
- Video: 6.4b Pitch Drop Website
- Video: 6.5 Viscosity Behavior of Oxide Glasses
- Video: 6.6 Defects in SiO2
- Video: 6.7 Structure of Oxide Glass
- Video: 6.8 Zachariasen's Rules
- Video: 6.9 Soda Lime Silicate
- Video: 6.10 Polymers and the Glass Transition Temperature
- Video: 6.11 Classification of Polymers
- Practice Quiz: Quiz 6.2 (Lectures 6.10 - 6.11)
- Video: 6.12 Nature of the Bond
- Video: 6.13 Molecular Weight Averages
- Video: 6.14 Chain Architecture
- Practice Quiz: Quiz 6.3 (Lectures 6.12 - 6.14)
- Video: 6.15 Semicrystalline Materials
- Video: 6.16 Factors Affecting Crystallinity in Polymers
- Video: 6.17 Coiling in Polymers
- Video: 6.18 Demonstration of Oxide Glass Crystallization
- Video: 6.19 Rubbery Behavior in Polymers
- Practice Quiz: Quiz 6.4 (Lectures 6.15 - 6.17)
- Video: 6.20 Amorphous Metals
- Video: 6.21 Methods of Producing Amorphous Metals
- Video: Racquetball Demonstration
- Video: 6.22 Summary
- Reading: Supplemental Materials for this Module
- Reading: Where to go from here
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excellent course!