Course detail

Introduction to Material Science and Engineering

FSI-BUM-AAcad. year: 2025/2026

The course is based on the knowledge acquired in the courses on physics, chemistry, physical chemistry and mathematics. It deals with an inner structure of materials, crystal structure of solid materials, crystal lattice and their characteristics. Also discussed is thermodynamics of materials, diffusion, equilibrium phase diagrams, phase transformations and their influence on the structure and material characteristics. The course addresses also the problem of deformation and fracture behaviour of materials, strengthening and softening gadgetry, structural characteristics, mechanical characteristics at static, impulsive and cyclical load. The basic mechanisms are then shown how they influence the behavior of some application groups of materials.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

6

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Offered to foreign students

Of all faculties

Entry knowledge

Students are expected to have general knowledge of mathematics, physics and chemistry acquired at secondary school. They should have the basic knowledge of reaction of materials to general situations.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Course-unit credit is awarded on condition of having attended 100% seminars with active participation and worked the presented topics. Excused absence has to be compensated for via working out an alternative assignment. The exam has a written and an oral part. The written part is composed of questions on main topics presented in the lectures. In the oral part of the exam a student answers additional and complementary questions.
Missed lessons may be compensated for by the agreement with the teacher.

Aims

The aim of the course is to familiarise students with inner structure, structure and physical principle of processes taking place in technological processing of materials. Students will be cognizant of the interactions among chemical composition, processing, structure and properties of materials necessary for manufacturing technology and construction use.
Students will have an overview of physical and chemical operations, which to a large extent influence materials capabilities. The acquired knowledge is necessary for successful completion of the further course "Structure and Properties of Materials".

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

ASHBY, F.M., JONES, D.R.H. Engineering Materials I., II.
DOWLING, E.N. Mechanical Behaavior of Materials.
OHRING, M. Engineering Materials Science.

Recommended reading

PLUHAŘ, J. A KOLEKTIV. Nauka o materiálech, SNTL, Praha, 1989.
PLUHAŘ, J., KORITTA, J. Srojírenské materiály. SNTL/ALFA, Praha, 1977.
PTÁČEK L., A KOLEKTIV. Nauka o materiálu I. CERM, Brno, 2003.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B-STI-A Bachelor's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
  • Programme N-ENG-A Master's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

39 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Atomic Structure, Interatomic Bonding, Crystal Structures, Imperfections in Solids
2. Introduction to Thermodynamics,
3. Introduction to Kinetics and Diffusion
4. Phase Diagrams of simple binary systems
5. Phase diagrams of systems with intermediary phases, polymorphic components and metastable equilibriums
6. Solidification and Crystallization
7. Phase Transformations in Solid State
8. Mechanical Properties of Materials I – microstructure and mechanical properties relation, static tests, Charpy Impact Test
9. Mechanical Properties of Materials II – Fracture Mechanics, Fatique, Creep, Relaxation
10. Light construction materials
11. High strength construction materials
12. High temperature construction materials
13.Degradation processes in construction materials

Laboratory exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Introduction,
2. light microscopy.
3. Crystal structure of metals
4. Basic binary equilibrium diagrams I.
5. Basic binary equilibrium diagrams II.
6. Thermal analysis.
7. Materialography, test
8. Diagram Fe-Fe3C metastable
9. Tensile test.
10. Hardness test.
11. Impact test.
12. Fatigue of materials + test.
13. Final lesson