Physical Metallurgy I

At the end of this course, the students should be able to: 1. review relevant topics in Physics; 2. situate physical metallurgy within metallurgical engineering family; 3. explain physical metallurgy as application of scientific laws of physics to metallurgical engineering; and 4. describe the structure-property-application relationship as pertains to various category of metals (ferrous and their alloys, non-ferrous, base metals and precious metals).

Review of fundamentals of relevant topics in physics including the following: wave theory of atom, Schrödinger wave equation and calculations using the equation; wave-particle light duality; uncertainty principle; electron diffraction, theory and application. Bragg’s law and application in mineral/metals characterisation as in X-ray diffractometry; classification of crystal systems, structure of crystals and introductory stereographic projection. Diffusion processes in metals and alloys. Nucleation and growth in metal casting. Dislocation and slip phenomenon. Mechanical properties of materials.