Composites. Classification. Matrix and reinforcement phases. Fibre reinforced composites. Mechanical properties of continuous and short fibre composites. Polymer matrix composites: characteristics, materials and manufacture technologies. Metal and ceramic matrix composites. Glass-ceramics.
Material, light and colour. Optical properties of materials. Optical fibres.
Smart materials: shape-memory and chromogenic materials.
Semiconductor materials, light and design: LED and OLED.
Recommended books:
W. D. Callister, D. G. Rethwisch, “Scienza e Ingegneria dei Materiali”, 4a ed., ed. EdiSES
W. F. Smith, J. Ashemi, “Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali”, 4a ed., ed. McGraw-Hill
Books on specific topic:
D. R. Askeland, P. P. Fulay, W. J. Wright, “Scienza e tecnologia dei materiali”, ed. CittàStudi
AIMAT (a cura di), “Manuale dei materiali per l’Ingegneria”, ed. McGraw-Hill
J. F. Shackelford, “Scienza e ingegneria dei materiali”, ed. Prentice Hall
A. Cigada et al., “Materiali per il Design”, 2a ed., ed. C.E.A.
S. A. Salvi, “Plastica, tecnologia, design”, Ed. Hoepli
C. Badini, “Materiali compositi per l'ingegneria”, Ed. Celid
I. Crivelli Visconti, G. Caprino, A. Langella, “Materiali Compositi”, Ed. Hoepli
H. Saechtling, “Manuale delle Materie Plastiche”, ed. Tecniche Nuove
M. Ashby, K. Johnson, “Materiali e Design”, ed. C.E.A.
M. F. Ashby, “La scelta dei materiali nella progettazione industriale”, ed. C.E.A.
M. Ashby, H. Shercliff, D. Cebon, “Materiali. Dalla scienza alla progettazione ingegneristica”, ed. C.E.A.
Material ConneXion, Inc (a cura di), “Materials Matter 2008”, Editrice Compositori
Material ConneXion, Inc (a cura di), “Materials Matter III”, Editrice Compositori
Material ConneXion, Inc (a cura di), “Materials Matter IV”, Editrice Compositori
Learning Objectives
The course will illustrate the physico-chemical and mechanical properties of composite materials, their main industrial technologies for manufacturing and the characteristics of other innovative materials. The students will be able to basically design composite materials as a function of required mechanical properties (elastic modulus, strength) under simple stress conditions, and to select suitable advanced materials and manufacturing technologies for a specific product.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of materials. Knowledge of mechanical properties of materials. Knowledge of traditional materials: metals, ceramics and polymers. Basic knowledge of chemistry, physics and mathematics.
Teaching Methods
Ex-cathedra lessons
Further information
The slides shown at the lessons and other teaching aids will be uploaded on the Course homepage on the site e-l.unifi.it
Type of Assessment
Written examination (given time: 1 h 30 min) consisting in 6 open-ended questions, for which a synthetic report must be given, regarding the program treated during the course, and an exercise.
For the open-ended questions, the student shall prove to know:
- the characteristics of composite materials;
- the different materials used in composite materials;
- the manufacturing technologies used for composite materials;
- the characteristics of the other innovative materials treated during the course.
The exercise will regard the physical (density) and mechanical properties of fibre composites.
The on-line registration on the examination site of the University of Florence is required to access the examination.
Course program
Materials science basics. Material classification. Conventional engineering materials: metals, ceramics and polymers. Mechanical properties of materials.
Composite materials. Classification. Fibre-reinforced composites. Fibre and matrix function. Mechanical properties of long and short length fibre-reinforced composites. Isostress and isostrain model, mixing rule. Minimum fibre volume, load transfer length and critical length. Structural composites: sandwich panels, laminar composites. Polymer matrix composites. Thermoplastics and thermosetting matrix: processing and properties. Glass, carbon, polyaramid fibres: production and properties. Main manufacturing techniques (open and close moulding processes). Metal and ceramic matrix composites.
Advanced materials. Glass-ceramics.
Materials, light and colour: optical properties of materials. Reflection and refraction. Total reflection. Optical fibres. Luminescence. Materials and colour. Colouring by interference effects.
Smart materials.
Materials and colour: chromogenic materials.
Materials and shape: shape memory materials.
Materials and stiffness: non-newtonian plastics.
Semiconductors, light and design: LED, OLED and photovoltaic cell materials. Other advanced materials.