Fundamentals of Materials Characterization and Selection

Day 1: Introduction to Material Science and Material Properties

• The importance of material science and technology in engineering and design.
• Fundamentals of materials physics and chemistry.
• Overview of metallic materials: properties, applications, and uses.
• Introduction to ceramic materials: characteristics and applications.

Day 2: Understanding Non-Metallic Materials

• Overview of polymeric materials: properties, advantages, and disadvantages.
• Composite materials: structure, benefits, and industrial applications.
• Nanomaterials: significance, properties, and future applications.
• Biomaterials: key features and importance in medical and biological applications.

Day 3: Material Properties and Their Measurement

• Material properties: density, mechanical, thermal, electrical, and optical properties.
• Understanding corrosion properties and their impact on material selection.
• Ecological properties: sustainability, environmental impact, and material lifecycle.
• Techniques for measuring material properties: methods, equipment, and best practices.

Day 4: Material Structure and Defects

• Microscopic structure of materials: understanding the relationship between structure and properties.
• Amorphous vs crystalline materials: differences and implications.
• Defects in crystals: types of defects and their effects on material properties.
• Experimental determination of material properties and analysis techniques.

Day 5: Material Selection and Application

• Methods for material screening: approaches for selecting the right materials.
• Material ranking and material indices: tools for comparing materials.
• Material documentation: organizing and accessing material data.
• Computer-aided material selection: software tools and how they aid the selection process.