Diffences between processes of deformation and fracture, and between resulting mechanical properties of metals, ceramics and polymers, come from their different microstructure. The course includes passages dealing with the microstructure of basic material types and describing individual damage stages leading to the fracture under various external conditions. The emphasize is given on the understanding of physics of micromechanisms operating in the individual fracture processes and on relationships between microstructure and mechanical characteristics of materials. It enables us to make qualified decisions about the suitabillity of a given structural material based on its microstructural and mechanical characteristics and, in particular, to assess the risk of fracture of structural components during their exploitation.
Presentation is made by combination of computer animation and classical methods (overheads and blackboard.