ENROL NOW

Materials Technology

Course CodeVSS202
Fee CodeS2
Duration (approx)100 hours
QualificationTo obtain formal documentation the optional exam(s) must be completed which will incur an additional fee of £30. Alternatively, a letter of completion may be requested.
  • Study and compare the properties of different types of materials including metals, plastics and glass, to make better choices for construction.
  • Understand the appropriate, safe, and sustainable choices in the use of materials for different applications.
  • Learn to work with metals

Lesson Structure

There are 8 lessons in this course:

  1. Properties & Classification of Materials
    • Properties of Materials
    • Mechanical Properties
    • Thermal Properties
    • Electrical Properties
    • Environmental Properties
    • Manufacturing Properties
    • Economic Properties
    • Classification of Materials
    • Metals
    • Ceramics
    • Polymers
    • Composites
    • Minerals
    • Silicates
    • Non Silicate Minerals
  2. Metals and Their Uses
    • Ferrous Materials -pig iron, wrought iron, grey iron etc
    • Non Ferrous Metals
    • Aluminium
    • Copper
    • Lead
    • Zinc
    • Tin
    • Nickel
    • Rare Earth Elements
    • Lanthanides
    • Properties and Uses of Rare Earth Elements
    • Other Metals -Titanium, Gold, Silver, Chromium, Tungsten, Antimony
  3. Metal Alloys and Their Uses
    • Malleability
    • Ductility
    • Strength
    • Benefits of Alloys
    • Ferrous Alloys
    • Cast Irons
    • Steels
    • Steel Grading
    • Non Ferrous Alloys: White metal, Nickel-Silver, etc
    • Tin Alloys
    • Copper Alloys
    • Aluminium Alloys
    • Titanium Alloys
    • Titanium, Gold and Silver Alloys
    • Rare Earth Alloys
  4. Working with Metals
    • Metal work
    • Gauges/Sizing
    • Grades
    • Bulk Forming - forging, rolling extrusion, cold sizing, bending, coining, spinning, stamping etc.
    • Casting Metals - expandable and non expandable
    • Cutting Metals - machining, hand cutting, burning
    • Finishing
    • Joining Metals - soldering, welding, brazing, riveting
  5. Non-metals and Their Uses
    • Porcelain
    • Earthenware
    • Glass
    • Brick
    • Polymers
    • Plastics
    • Plant Fibres
    • Resins
    • Rubber
    • Composites - concrete, ceramic matrix composites, weed composites, metal matrix composites
    • Polymer Matrix Composites - fibreglass, carbon fibre
  6. Working with Ceramics (and Glass)
    • Making Pottery
    • Kneading and wedging
    • Shaping - hand building, using a potters wheel, injection moulding, jiggering, jolleying etc
    • Glazing - vitreous enamel, overglaze, underglaze, salt glazing
    • Decorating
    • Firing
    • Making Glass - hot end, cold end etc
    • Glass Sheet
    • Working with Glass - Cutting, fixing, joining, blowing
  7. Working with Polymers & Composites
    • Synthetic Polymers
    • Plastic manufacturing
    • Joining Plastics
    • Plastic welding techniques
    • Polymer Clay
    • Natural Polymers -working rubber
    • Composites - working fibreglass
  8. Safe and Sustainable Handling of Materials
    • Safe Use of Materials
    • Case Studies
    • Sustainable Use of Materials
    • Recycling
    • Major PBL Project

Aims

  • Explain important properties of materials used to make things and how they are classified.
    • Differentiate different pure metals and their uses.
    • Explain different metal alloys and their uses.
    • Explain how to work with metals; cutting, shaping and fixing.
    • Explain the main groups of non-metals and their use in making things.
    • Explain how to work with ceramics; cutting, shaping and fixing.
    • Explain how glass is made.
    • Explain how to work with different polymers and composites, including cutting, shaping and fixing.
    • Determine appropriate, safe, and sustainable choices in the use of materials for different applications.