Methods for Characterization of Materials

Code

Course teacher

Associate teachers

Status of the course

Course objectives

Acquisition of theoretical knowledge about different techniques and methods for characterization of materials, and practical knowledge about the preparation of samples and the application of simple and advanced instrumental techniques and methods.

Course enrolment requirements and entry competences required for the course

Learning outcomes expected at the level of the course (4 to 10 learning outcomes)

After passing the exam, student is expected to be able to:
- optimally use numerous possibilities of individual instruments
- conclude which instrumental technique and method can be applied to determine predicted properties of materials
- properly prepare samples and adjust a instrument for a particular measurement, i.e. to calibrate the instrument
- independently carry out measurements and determine basic parameters of the measured data

Course content broken down in detail by weekly class schedule (syllabus)

1st week: L Introductory notes related to the course. Introduction to structure and properties of materials using MSE tetraedre (Material Science and Engineering) for clarification of relations between composition, structure, properties and synthesis of materials. Classification of materials. Classification based on structure of materials. Crystalline and amorphous state. Practical examples of structure and properties of waste materials in environment.
E -
2nd week: L Development of techniques and methods for characterization of materials throughout the history. Introduction to methods for characterization of materials. The accuracy and precision of measurement, statistical deviation of measurement. Basic terminology in instrumental characterization of materials (calibration, recalibration, baseline, standards, systematic errors..).
E -
3rd week: L Physical and chemical properties of materials. Basic notations and terminology. Crystal states. Symmetry elements. Crystal systems. Spatial symmetry and space groups. Crystal planes, Miller indices and interplane distances. d. Isomorphism and polymorphism. Enantiomorphism and chirality. Crystal habits. Dendrites. Composite crystals and splicings. Irregularities in crystals.
E -
4th week: L Electromagnetic radiation. Instrumental methods and techniques. X-ray radiation. The interaction of X-ray radiation with electrons. The interaction of electromagnetic radiation with atoms. Basics of X-ray fluorescence techniques and methods. Calibration and calibration standards of instruments. Interpretation of the results.
E Determination of the elemental composition using fluorescence techniques.
5th week: L Determination of the basic parameters of the diffraction pattern. Industrial constructions of instrument and performance limitations.
E Rapid methods for characterization of materials using X-ray diffraction.
6th week: L Microscopic techniques. Light microscopy. The law of reflection. The law of refraction. Absolute and relative refractive index. Methods of measuring the refractive index. Birefringence. Construction of microscope. Polarizing microscope. Compensation plates and their role.
E Application of microscopy in characterization of materials.
7th week: L Assessment of knowledge (I. test). Spectroscopic techniques and methods for characterization of materials. Theoretical background of infrared spectroscopy (IR).
E Application of infrared spectroscopy in characterization of materials.
8th week: L Basics interactions of infrared radiation with a matter. Important terminology related to infrared spectroscopy and its possible application. Methods for a sample preparation. Methods and techniques of measurement. Practical guidelines for the measurement on infrared spectrometer.
E Application of infrared spectroscopy in characterization of materials.
9st week: L Introduction to thermal techniques and methods. Fundamental terminology. Types of thermal techniques and methods. Factors affecting the results of thermal analysis.
E -
10th week: L Theoretical background of thermogravimetry (TG). Standards for calibration and calibration methods of thermogravimeter and thermogravimeter / differential thermal analyzer (TG/DTA). Determination of the baseline and measurement interpretation. Importance of instrument calibration, measurement program, working conditions, preparation of samples. Interpretation of thermogravimetric curves. Possible applications of thermogravimetry (examples). Mistakes that occur in measurement.
E Determination of thermal and thermo-oxidative stability of materials with thermogravimetric method.
11th week: L Assessment of knowledge (II. test). Theoretical background of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). Instrumental designs of these techniques.
E -
12th week: L Importance of instrument calibration, measurement program, working conditions, preparation of samples for differential scanning calorimetry and differential thermal analysis. Standards for calibration and recalibration of instruments. Determination of a baseline and measurement interpretation. Possible applications (examples) and possible problems. Mistakes that occur in the measurement.
E Determination of thermal properties of material using differential scanning calorimetry.
13th week: L Theoretical background of thermomechanical (TMA) analysis and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). Construction of thermomechanical system. Calibration of the instrument, measurement program, working conditions, sample preparation, etc. Thermomechanical curves. Possible applications (examples) and possible problems.
E -
14th week: L Construction of dynamic mechanical system (DMA). Calibration of the instrument, measurement program, working conditions, sample preparation, etc. Dynamic mechanical curves. Possible applications (examples) and possible problems.
E -
15th week: L Repetition of course content. Assessment of knowledge (III. test).
E -

Format of instruction:

Student responsibilities

Optional literature (at the time of submission of study programme proposal)

1. Roger N. Clark, Spectroscopy of Rocks and Minerals, and Principles of Spectroscopy, John Wiley and Sons, Inc, New York, 1999.
2. Odabrani članci iz časopisa po preporuci predmetnog nastavnika

Quality assurance methods that ensure the acquisition of exit competences

Quality assurance will be performed at three levels:
(1) University Level;
(2) Faculty Level by Quality Control Committee;
(3) Lecturer’s Level.

Other (as the proposer wishes to add)