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Thomas H. Sanders, Jr.

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.

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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 second 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.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Phase Diagrams and Phase Equilibria
This course picks up with an overview of basic thermodynamics and kinetics as they pertain to the processing of crystalline materials. The first module deals with phase diagrams - charts that tell us how a material will behave given a certain set of variables such as temperature, pressure, and composition. You will learn how to interpret common and complex phase diagrams and how to extract useful information from them.
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Kinetics of Structural Transformations
If thermodynamics, which we covered in the previous module, tells us how a material wants to change, then kinetics tells us how and how quickly that transformation occurs. This module starts by explaining the driving force for phase transformations. We will cover the nucleation and growth of precipitates, solidification, and sintering. Finally, there are a number of lessons which apply all that has been covered in the course to understanding carbon steels.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Recommended for learners with fundamental chemistry knowledge
Taught by recognized academics
Multi-modular with interactive content
Useful for professionals and academicians
Prioritizes conceptual understanding
Provides a theoretical foundation in materials science

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Reviews summary

Useful materials course

Learners say this materials science course is useful and will be helpful for research work.
Students find this course to be worthwhile.
"I enjoyed this courese."
"It is going to be very usefull for me to carryon my research work."

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 Material Processing with these activities:
Identify a Materials Science Expert
Establish a connection with a materials science professional to gain guidance, insights, and support in understanding complex concepts.
Show steps
  • Identify potential mentors within the field.
  • Reach out to them through professional networking platforms or conferences.
  • Present a clear request for guidance and areas of interest.
Create a Comprehensive Study Guide
Organize and summarize key concepts, definitions, and examples from the course to enhance retention and understanding.
Show steps
  • Review and compile lecture notes, textbook chapters, and online resources.
  • Create a structured and easy-to-navigate study guide.
  • Include key terms, diagrams, and practice exercises.
Review Atomic Structure and Bonding
Review the fundamentals of atomic structure and bonding to strengthen the foundation for understanding materials science concepts.
Browse courses on Atomic Structure
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  • Revisit the periodic table and electron configurations of elements.
  • Analyze different types of chemical bonds (ionic, covalent, metallic).
  • Identify the relationship between atomic structure and bonding in materials.
Five other activities
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Show all eight activities
Discussion Forum Participation
Foster active participation in discussion forums to engage with peers, share insights, and clarify concepts related to materials science.
Show steps
  • Join online discussion forums or participate in class discussions.
  • Review discussion topics, ask questions, and share perspectives.
  • Provide constructive feedback and engage in respectful discussions.
Phase Diagram Interpretation Exercises
Engage in practice exercises to enhance the ability to interpret phase diagrams and predict material behavior under various conditions.
Browse courses on Phase Diagrams
Show steps
  • Analyze binary phase diagrams of different alloy systems.
  • Identify phases present at different temperatures and compositions.
  • Predict the microstructure and properties of materials based on phase diagrams.
Microstructure Analysis Report
Enhance understanding of microstructure analysis techniques and their application in materials science through a comprehensive report.
Show steps
  • Choose a material sample and characterize its microstructure using optical microscopy, SEM, or TEM.
  • Analyze the microstructure, identifying different phases, grain boundaries, and defects.
  • Correlate the microstructure with the material's properties and performance.
  • Prepare a report summarizing the findings and discussing implications for materials design.
Materials Science Case Study Challenge
Challenge oneself to apply materials science principles in a practical setting through a case study competition.
Browse courses on Case Studies
Show steps
  • Identify a real-world materials science problem or challenge.
  • Research and gather information on the problem and potential solutions.
  • Develop a solution strategy and design a material to address the problem.
  • Submit the solution and participate in the case study competition.
Contribute to a Materials Science Research Project
Engage with the cutting-edge of materials science by participating in an open-source research project, contributing to knowledge and innovation.
Show steps
  • Identify open-source materials science projects.
  • Join the project team and contribute to specific tasks.
  • Conduct research, analyze data, and develop solutions.
  • Collaborate with researchers and contribute to the project's goals.

Career center

Learners who complete Material Processing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Metallurgical Engineer
A Metallurgical Engineer working to develop better steel alloys may need to understand and make use of phase diagrams. One might also need to calculate the kinetics of solidification and other phase transformations occurring within the steel. This course covers both of these topics.
Materials Scientist
Materials Scientists understand the structure and properties of different materials. They may even be tasked with creating new and improved materials. In order to create materials with the desired properties, one must understand the connection between a material's structure and its properties, which is the topic of this course.
Research Scientist
A Research Scientist working in the field of materials science may need to understand the principles of atomic and microscopic defects. Also, having knowledge of phase diagrams is very common among Research Scientists.
Materials Characterization Specialist
A Materials Characterization Specialist may be tasked with using a variety of techniques to characterize the microstructure of a material. In order to effectively perform these characterization techniques, one could use the principles presented in this course.
Failure Analysis Engineer
A Failure Analysis Engineer may be tasked with investigating and identifying the cause of failures in materials or products. In order to effectively perform this analysis, one must understand how a material's microstructure affects its properties.
Manufacturing Engineer
A Manufacturing Engineer may be tasked with designing a new manufacturing process. A Manufacturing Engineer working in the field of semiconductor manufacturing may need to understand how the properties of a material are affected by its microstructure. For instance, one might need to understand how to control the formation of defects in order to improve the yield.
Ceramic Engineer
A Ceramic Engineer working in the field of electronics may need to design a new high-performance ceramic component, such as a capacitor or inductor. Knowledge of crystal structure, which is a topic covered in this course, is very useful in this area.
Nuclear Engineer
A Nuclear Engineer working in the nuclear power industry may need to understand the behavior of materials used in nuclear reactors. In order to understand how radiation affects the properties of these materials, one might need to understand their microstructure. This course helps a Nuclear Engineer understand the microstructure of crystalline materials, which is important for understanding how a material's properties can change when exposed to radiation.
Polymer Chemist
A Polymer Chemist working in the field of polymer composite materials may need to understand the relationship between structure and properties. This course introduces the principles of atomic and microscopic defects, which are also present in polymers, and how these defects affect a material's properties.
Chemical Engineer
A Chemical Engineer may be tasked with designing a new manufacturing process for a new chemical product. As part of this, they might need to develop a temperature-concentration phase diagram for a reaction taking place in a solution. Understanding from this course how phase diagrams can be used to design a process can help one be more effective in this area.
Product Designer
A Product Designer for a company that manufactures sports equipment may need to choose materials that have a high strength-to-weight ratio. If so, it would be very useful to understand how processing can be used to improve the properties of a material, as is discussed in this course.
Analytical Chemist
An Analytical Chemist with the task of ensuring that the company's products meet safety and quality standards could apply their knowledge of phase diagrams to, for instance, analyze the microstructure of their final product.
Sales Engineer
A Sales Engineer for a company that sells high-performance materials may need to be able to explain to customers how the microstructure of a material affects its properties. Knowledge of phase diagrams, which this course covers, may also be helpful in this area.
Technical Writer
A Technical Writer working for a company that manufactures scientific instruments may need to write user manuals and other technical documents that explain the principles of how their products work. If so, this course could help build a foundation in understanding the microstructure of materials, which is necessary for developing new instruments.
Quality Control Inspector
A Quality Control Inspector for a company that manufactures metal components may need to be able to identify and resolve problems with the quality of the products. If so, it might be helpful to have a basic understanding of the microstructure of materials.

Reading list

We've selected 24 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Material Processing.
This comprehensive textbook provides a detailed overview of the science and engineering of materials. It valuable resource for students who want to gain a deep understanding of the subject.
This classic textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the field of physical metallurgy. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to learn more about this topic.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of materials science and engineering for the 21st century. It valuable resource for students who want to gain a deep understanding of the subject.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of phase transformations in metals and alloys. It valuable resource for students who want to gain a deep understanding of the subject.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the thermodynamics of materials. It valuable resource for students who want to gain a deep understanding of the subject.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of materials processing. It valuable resource for students who want to gain a deep understanding of the subject.
Provides a comprehensive overview of phase diagrams and thermodynamic modeling of solutions. It valuable resource for students who want to learn about the principles of phase diagrams and how to use them to predict the behavior of materials.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the kinetics of materials. It valuable resource for students who want to gain a deep understanding of the subject.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of the sintering of advanced materials. It valuable resource for students who want to gain a deep understanding of the subject.
This introductory textbook provides a clear and concise overview of the field of materials science and engineering. It is written specifically for engineering students and covers the basics of materials science, including the structure, properties, and processing of different materials.
Provides a comprehensive overview of carbon steels, which are the most widely used materials in the world. It valuable resource for students who want to learn about the properties, processing, and performance of carbon steels.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the properties and selection of irons, steels, and high-performance alloys. It valuable resource for students who want to learn about the properties and applications of these materials.
Provides a comprehensive overview of phase transformations, which are essential for understanding the behavior of materials. It valuable resource for students who want to learn about the principles of phase transformations and how to use them to predict the behavior of materials.
Provides a comprehensive overview of diffusion, which is essential for understanding the behavior of materials over time. It valuable resource for students who want to learn about the principles of diffusion and how to use them to predict the behavior of materials.
Provides a clear and concise overview of the thermodynamics of materials. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to learn more about this topic.
This textbook provides a comprehensive overview of materials science and engineering, with a focus on the relationship between structure and properties. It valuable resource for students who want to gain a deeper understanding of the materials used in engineering applications.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the kinetics of materials, which is essential for understanding the behavior of materials over time. It valuable resource for students who want to learn about the principles of kinetics and how to use them to predict the behavior of materials.
Provides a comprehensive overview of solidification and casting, which are essential processes for the production of materials. It valuable resource for students who want to learn about the principles of solidification and casting and how to use them to produce high-quality materials.
Provides a comprehensive overview of sintering, which is an essential process for the production of ceramics. It valuable resource for students who want to learn about the principles of sintering and how to use them to produce high-quality ceramics.
This textbook is designed for students with a background in science or engineering. It covers a wide range of topics in materials science, including materials properties, processing, and applications. It valuable resource for students who want to learn about the materials used in engineering applications.
Provides a detailed overview of the kinetics of phase transformations. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to learn more about this topic.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the field of phase diagrams and phase equilibria. It valuable resource for students and professionals who want to learn more about this topic.

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