Basics of Material selection for mechanical design engineers from Udemy

Materials are an integral part of mechanical design and engineering.

Understanding of properties , how they matter for product performance are a key knowledge set for any engineer designing products big or small .

This course attempts to provide insights into the following topics

Role of material selection in Design process
The importance of materials
Types of materials
The Mechanical properties
- Modulus
- Ductility and brittleness
- Strength
- Hardness
- Resilience and Toughness
- Fracture toughness
- Fatigue strength
- Wear
- Creep
- Internal damping - loss coefficient
Thermal properties - Conductivity, Thermal expansion and heat capacity
Introduction to peculiar nature of various base materials and composites
Material charts
Material selection process
Material indices
- Derivation of indices for various loading application
- Applying indices on the Ashby charts for material selection

The course is intended to be a starting point for deep study into material selection .

Materials is of course a very vast subject . This course can be a good reference to get a taste for the field of material selection.

If you are a design engineer and looking to refresh and maybe pickup on new concepts regarding materials this course will be for you .

If you are a student who is looking to start their learning journey in area of materials of mechanical design for product development then this should be a good starting point.

Course is designed to be precise and to the point and focuses on concepts and not only the facts .

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Materials in Design

Four Aspects of Mechanical design

Four main factors in material selection

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a starting point for understanding material selection, which is a key aspect of mechanical design and engineering for both large and small products

Explores material indices and their derivation for various loading applications, which is essential for optimizing designs based on stiffness and strength

Covers a wide range of mechanical properties, including modulus, ductility, strength, hardness, resilience, toughness, fracture toughness, fatigue strength, wear, and creep

Examines the peculiar nature of various base materials and composites, which is useful for design engineers looking to broaden their understanding of material options

Requires learners to apply indices on Ashby charts for material selection, which may require learners to acquire the charts separately

Includes a bonus section, which may offer additional insights or resources for further learning and exploration in material selection

Reviews summary

Basics of material selection fundamentals

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to the fundamentals of material selection for mechanical design. Students found it to be a good starting point, covering key properties, material types, and the basic selection process. The course content is described as precise and to the point, focusing on essential concepts rather than exhaustive detail. Many felt it was useful for refreshing knowledge or for students beginning their journey. While some wished for more depth or practical examples, overall, it is viewed as a valuable foundational course.

Could benefit from more advanced topics or practical cases.

"I wish there were more in-depth discussions on advanced topics or specific applications."

"While a good intro, it didn't go deep enough for someone with some prior knowledge."

"Some more practical examples or case studies would have made it even better."

"I felt it was very theoretical; maybe add some real-world design problems?"

Introduces Ashby charts and indices application.

"Getting an introduction to Ashby charts and material indices was a highlight for me."

"The course explained how to use the property charts for selection."

"Applying material indices to design problems was a useful concept introduced here."

"I found the section on using charts for specific applications like beams and tie rods helpful."

Content is direct and avoids unnecessary detail.

"I appreciated that the course was precise and stayed focused on the main concepts."

"It got straight to the point without a lot of fluff, which saved time."

"The lectures were concise and easy to follow."

"This course is efficient; it teaches you what you need to know without overwhelming you."

Focuses on key properties and selection methods.

"I learned about the important mechanical and thermal properties and how they relate to design."

"The sections on material properties and the selection process were very clear."

"Understanding the different types of materials and their basic nature was helpful."

"The instructor explained concepts like toughness, fatigue, and creep effectively."

Ideal for beginners or those refreshing basics.

"This course is exactly what I needed to get started with understanding material selection basics."

"As a student, I found this to be a perfect introduction to the topic; it covers the essentials."

"It served as a great refresher on concepts I hadn't revisited in a while."

"I recommend this if you're just beginning to learn about materials in design."

Serves as a base, not a comprehensive guide.

"As the description says, this is really just a starting point for learning material selection."

"It gave me a good overview, but I know I'll need to study further to become proficient."

"This course is best used as a foundational piece before diving into more detailed resources."

"It clearly sets the stage for deeper learning in materials for design."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Basics of Material selection for mechanical design engineers with these activities:

Review Mechanical Properties of Materials

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Reinforce your understanding of fundamental material properties before diving into the course. This will help you grasp the nuances of material selection more effectively.

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Review definitions of key mechanical properties.
Work through example problems calculating stress and strain.
Relate each property to real-world applications.

Explore 'Engineering Materials 1' by Ashby and Jones

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Gain a broader understanding of the properties and applications of various engineering materials. This book provides a solid foundation for the course material.

View Engineering Materials 2 on Amazon

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Read the introductory chapters on material properties and classifications.
Focus on the sections relevant to the materials discussed in the course.
Take notes on key concepts and definitions.

Explore Online Material Databases

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Familiarize yourself with online resources for material property data. This will enhance your ability to find and compare materials for design projects.

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Research and identify reputable online material databases (e.g., MatWeb, CES Selector).
Explore the database interface and search functionalities.
Practice searching for specific materials and comparing their properties.

Four other activities

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Review 'Materials Selection in Mechanical Design' by Ashby

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Deepen your understanding of material selection methodologies. This book provides a comprehensive framework that complements the course content.

View Materials Selection in Mechanical Design on Amazon

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Read the chapters on material indices and Ashby charts.
Work through the case studies provided in the book.
Compare the book's approach to the course's material selection process.

Create a Material Property Comparison Chart

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Reinforce your understanding of material properties by creating a visual comparison chart. This will help you internalize the relative strengths and weaknesses of different materials.

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Select 5-7 common engineering materials (e.g., steel, aluminum, titanium, composites).
Gather data on key mechanical and thermal properties for each material.
Create a chart comparing the materials based on these properties.
Write a brief summary highlighting the key differences and applications.

Material Selection for a Simple Component

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Apply the concepts learned in the course to a practical design problem. This project will solidify your understanding of material indices and selection criteria.

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Choose a simple mechanical component (e.g., a bicycle frame, a chair leg).
Define the functional requirements and constraints.
Identify relevant material indices for the component.
Use Ashby charts to narrow down potential materials.
Justify your final material selection based on performance and cost.

Develop a Material Selection Decision Matrix

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Create a structured decision-making tool for material selection. This will help you systematically evaluate different materials based on multiple criteria.

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Define the key performance criteria for a specific application.
Assign weights to each criterion based on its importance.
Identify potential materials for the application.
Rate each material against each criterion.
Calculate a weighted score for each material and select the best option.

Career center

Learners who complete Basics of Material selection for mechanical design engineers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal devices, including tools, engines, and machines. As a mechanical engineer, understanding material properties is critical. This course helps engineers understand the role of material selection in the design process. Mechanical engineers will gain insight into various materials' mechanical and thermal properties, which helps in making informed decisions about material selection, impacting product performance. The course's overview of material indices, like those for lightweight design, further helps in optimizing designs for stiffness or strength.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mechanical Engineer

Design Engineer

Design engineers are essential in creating new products and systems. The choice of materials greatly influences the success of a design. This course emphasizes the importance of materials and their properties, such as modulus, strength, and thermal conductivity. Aspiring design engineers will learn about material selection processes and how to apply material indices to Ashby charts, enabling them to make better decisions in material selection for various loading applications. A design engineer can use this course to refresh and maybe pick up on new concepts regarding materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Engineer

Materials Engineer

Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a range of products, from computer chips and aircraft wings to medical implants and golf clubs. The course provides an introduction to the peculiar nature of various base materials and composites. A materials engineer will benefit from the in depth discussion of mechanical and thermal properties of these materials. The course's exploration of material charts and indices, with their derivation, will be particularly relevant to material selection.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Engineer

Product Development Engineer

Product development engineers are involved in all stages of a product's lifecycle, from initial concept to market release. Selecting the right materials is a critical aspect of product development. The course provides an understanding of material properties and their impact on product performance. With this course, a future product development engineer can gain insight into the material selection process and apply indices on Ashby charts to the material selection process. This is a good starting point for anyone looking to start their learning journey into materials of mechanical design for product development.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Development Engineer

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace engineers design aircraft, spacecraft, satellites, and missiles. They also test and prototype designs. They must be proficient in materials science since aerospace applications require high-performance materials. This course provides an introduction to the peculiar nature of various base materials and composites. Aerospace engineers will gain insight from this course's insights into material selection. The course provides a foundation for further study into material selection.

See salaries and explore the career path for Aerospace Engineer

Automotive Engineer

Automotive engineers design and develop vehicles and their components. Material selection is crucial, impacting vehicle performance, safety, and fuel efficiency. This course provides an understanding of material properties and their importance and includes an introduction to the peculiar nature of various base materials and composites. Automotive engineers will find the discussion of mechanical properties and fatigue strength particularly beneficial. This course can be a good reference to get a taste for the field of material selection.

See salaries and explore the career path for Automotive Engineer

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing engineers improve manufacturing processes and design equipment to ensure efficient production. Understanding material properties is critical for optimizing manufacturing processes. This course helps engineers understand the role of material selection in the design process. Manufacturing engineers will gain insight into various materials' mechanical and thermal properties. This course focuses on concepts and not only the facts, making it useful for practical application.

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Stress Analyst

Stress analysts evaluate the integrity of structures and components under various loads. This typically requires an advanced degree. This course introduces the concepts and importance of materials and discusses mechanical properties, such as modulus, strength, and fracture toughness. A stress analyst may find the course helpful in understanding how materials behave under stress. The course is designed to be precise and to the point and focuses on concepts and not only the facts, making it useful for practical application.

See salaries and explore the career path for Stress Analyst

Research and Development Engineer

Research and development engineers conduct research and develop new products or improve existing ones. They will often require an advanced degree. This course provides an introduction to the peculiar nature of various base materials and composites. For research and development engineers, this course may be useful for understanding material properties and their potential applications. If you are a design engineer and looking to refresh and maybe pickup on new concepts regarding materials this course will be for you

See salaries and explore the career path for Research and Development Engineer

Quality Control Engineer

Quality control engineers ensure that products meet certain standards of quality and reliability. They will often require an advanced degree. Understanding material properties is essential for evaluating product quality. This course may be useful in understanding the role of material selection in the design process and the mechanical and thermal properties of materials. The course is designed to be precise and to the point and focuses on concepts and not only the facts, making it useful for practical application.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Control Engineer

Metallurgical Engineer

Metallurgical engineers specialize in the study of metals and their properties. This often requires an advanced degree. This course provides an introduction to materials, including ferrous alloys and aluminum alloys, discussing their microstructure and heat treatment. A metallurgical engineer may find the course helpful for reviewing fundamental concepts. This course can be a good reference to get a taste for the field of material selection.

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CAD Designer

CAD designers create technical drawings and 3D models using computer aided design software. While the role is heavily design focused, understanding material properties helps in creating realistic and functional models. The course introduces the concepts and importance of materials and discusses mechanical properties, such as modulus, strength, and fracture toughness. If you are a design engineer and looking to refresh and maybe pickup on new concepts regarding materials this course will be for you.

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Engineering Technician

Engineering technicians assist engineers in various tasks, including testing and prototyping. Understanding material properties may be useful for interpreting test results and assisting in material selection. This course introduces the concepts and importance of materials and discusses mechanical properties, such as modulus, strength, and fracture toughness. This course can be a good reference to get a taste for the field of material selection.

See salaries and explore the career path for Engineering Technician

Technical Sales Engineer

Technical sales engineers sell complex technical products and services to businesses. They often need a strong understanding of engineering principles and material properties. This course introduces the concepts and importance of materials and discusses mechanical properties, such as modulus, strength, and fracture toughness. This course can be a good reference to get a taste for the field of material selection.

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Lab Technician

Lab technicians perform tests and experiments in a laboratory setting. They may need to work with various materials and equipment, and understanding material properties may be useful for interpreting results. This course introduces the concepts and importance of materials and discusses mechanical properties, such as modulus, strength, and fracture toughness. The course is designed to be precise and to the point and focuses on concepts and not only the facts, making it useful for practical application.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lab Technician