High Performance Materials (CHEN90043)

Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1
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This subject introduces students to materials science and engineering by developing an understanding of the influence of interatomic bonding and atomic structure on material behaviour. Phase diagrams and equilibria as well as material mechanical, electrical and electro chemical properties will be covered. The process of developing material selection criteria and selecting materials for particular applications will be presented.

Aspects of polymer chemistry will be introduced including the influence of chemical constituents on structure–property relationships. Various types of polymerisation reactions will be covered as well as how to measure the physical properties of the resulting polymers. Physical properties will include, molecular weight, glass transition and melting temperatures, and rheology etc. The design and fabrication techniques for polymer architectures including co-polymers and introduction of crystalline domains will be covered, as well as elastomers and rubbers. A description of polymers in solution as well as polymer melts, chain entanglement and viscoelasticity will be highlighted. 

The subject also covers ceramics, including zirconia as a case study. Introduction to brittle fracture including Griffith’s approach, Weibull statistics and toughening mechanisms including phase transformation will be conveyed through the zirconia case study. Carbon based materials including graphene which have exceptional properties including strength and electrical conductivity will be discussed.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject the student is expected to:

  • Be able to predict material properties based on knowledge of composition and processing-structure-property relationships
  • Have the ability to compare and select materials for particular engineering design applications
  • Demonstrate fluency in processing-structure-property relationships in ceramics and brittle materials
  • Be able to relate polymer physio-chemical properties to polymer behaviour.

Generic skills

  • Capacity for independent thought
  • Awareness of advanced technologies in the discipline
  • Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
  • Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
  • Ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

MREN90001 Polymers and Composites

MREN90004 Ceramics and Brittle Materials

Recommended background knowledge

Chemistry and Physics at first year level

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for
their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
 
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Written Assignment 1 - Intended Learning Outcomes (ILO) 1 is addressed in this assessment.

  • 15 hours (of work required)
Week 510%

Written Assignment 2 - Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 2 is addressed in this assessment.

  • 8 hours (of work required)
Week 75%

Written Assignment 3 - Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 3 is addressed in this assessment.

  • 15 hours (of work required)
Week 910%

Written Assignment 4 - Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 4 is addressed in this assessment.

  • 15 hours (of work required)
Week 1110%

Written Exam- One 3-hour written exam. Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) 1 to 4 are addressed in this assessment.

  • 3 hours
During the examination period65%

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 1
    Principal coordinatorGeorge Franks
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hoursWeek 1: 1x 2-hour lecture + 3x 1-hour lectures, no tutorial; Weeks 2-10: 1x 2-hour lecture + 2x 1-hour lectures, and 1x 1 hour tutorial ; Week 11-12: 1x 1-hour lecture, and 1x 1-hour tutorial
    Total time commitment200 hours
    Teaching period 3 March 2025 to 1 June 2025
    Last self-enrol date14 March 2025
    Census date31 March 2025
    Last date to withdraw without fail 9 May 2025
    Assessment period ends27 June 2025

    Semester 1 contact information

    Professor George Franks

    Email: gvfranks@unimelb.edu.au

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
       -  Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
     

    Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.

Last updated: 4 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.

  • Subject notes

    LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS
    Lectures, homework assignments, worked examples and guest lectures.
     
    INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES
    Comprehensive Lecture Notes are provided on LMS for the Students. Materials for the lecture notes are taken from the following list of sources which is provided to the students.   Materials Science and Engineering an Introduction, Callister, W. D. Jr. 
    Sixth Edition, John Wiley and Sons, 2003. (Call)
    The Principals of Engineering Materials, Barrett, C. R., Nix, W. D., and Tetelman, A.S., Prentice Hall, 1973.  (BNT).                                                                               
    Introduction to Engineering Materials, Second Edition, John, V. B., Macmillan Press, 1983. (John).
    Principles of Materials Science and Engineering, 3rd edition, Smith, W. F., McGraw Hill, NY, 1996. (Smith)
    Materials Selection in Mechanical Design, Ashby, M. F., Permagon Press 1992 and 1999. (Ashby).
    Engineering Materials 1, 3rd edition, and Engineering Materials 2, Ashby, M. F. and Jones , D. R. H., Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005. (A&J)
     
    CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS
    There are typically 2 or 3 guest lecturers (1 to 2 hours) from industry speakers.

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 4 March 2025