MATSC 563/E MCH 534:
MICROMECHANISMS OF FRACTURE
Crack Arrest Lines
of Vicker's Indentation Crack
MeetingDays/Times: T R 11:15A
- 12:30P
Classroom:
104 Steidle
Instructors:
Prof. C. L. Muhlstein and
Prof. D. J. Green
Instructor Information:
David J. Green, Professor of Ceramic Science &
Engineering,
230 Steidle Building,
Phone: 863-2011. Email: green@ems.psu.edu
Office Hours: Tuesdays 1-2 PM (or by appointment)
Personal
Web Page:
Chris L. Muhlstein, Assistant Professor of Materials Science &
Engineering,
310 Steidle Building,
Phone: 865-1523. Email: clm28@psu.edu
Office Hours: Mondays 4-5 PM (or by appointment)
Personal
Web Page:
Shortcuts to
Overview
Course Outline
Lecture Notes
Required Textbook
Course Evaluation
Reserve Books
Academic
Integrity and a Learning Culture
Overview:
The in-service performance of structural materials
relies on a combination of the mechanics of loading and of the
material’s ability to avoid fracture. Thus, modern mechanical design
requires knowledge of fracture processes and fracture-based design
criteria. This course addresses the mechanisms that control the
fracture of structural materials. This course focuses on ceramic-
and metallic-based structural materials primarily in the form of
“monolithic” materials with attention also being given to composite materials.
An understanding of fracture mechanisms can serve as a basis for predicting
failure conditions, performing failure analyses, or simply for recognizing
when existing failure predictions may be wrong (i.e., “how to avoid
bad surprises”).
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Course
Outline:
PART I. FRACTURE MECHANISMS IN BRITTLE MATERIALS
- Brittle fracture and linear elastic fracture
mechanics (3 classes)
- Microcracking (1 class)
- Contact damage and processing flaws (2 classes)
- Fractography (1 class)
- Brittle matrix composites (2 classes)
- Weibull statistics (2 classes)
- Time-dependent strength (2 classes)
- Thermal shock fracture (1 class)
PART II. FRACTURE MECHANISMS IN METALLIC-BASED MATERIALS
- Review of factors affecting fracture of metallic
materials (3 classes)
- Plastic deformation, stress state, and influence of temperature
- Crack tip plastic zones
- Microstructure: the weakest link issue
- Fracture “modes” and failure criteria
- Brittle fracture in metals: cleavage and intergranular mechanisms
(2 classes)
- Ductile fracture mechanisms in metals and metal-matrix composites:
damage processes, ductility and fracture toughness (3 classes)
- Environmentally-assisted crack growth: hydrogen embrittlement
and stress corrosion cracking mechanisms (3 classes)
- Fatigue mechanisms: (4 classes)
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Lecture
Notes
ANGEL: The University’s course management system (http://cms.psu.edu or http://angel.psu.edu)
will be used for distribution of course materials, announcements, and all
electronic mail for the class. Students are expected to use ANGEL regularly
to check for announcements and reminders for the course.
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Textbook
- Introduction to the Mechanical
Properties of Ceramics, D. J. Green, for Part I.
- Photocopied reference materials will be available
for Part II
There are
some errors in the text for Part I. To obtain corrections click here
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Reserve
Books
The following books have been placed on reserve in the Penn State Libraries
and they are useful as supplements to the course. Some books cover
advanced topics, others deal with the same subject matter but from
an alternative viewpoint.
- R. W. Davidge, Mechanical Behavior of Ceramics
- B. R. Lawn, Fracture of Brittle Solids: 2nd Edition
- D. J. Green, Introduction to Mechanical Properties of
Ceramics, 1998
- J. B. Wachtman, Mechanical Properties of Ceramics
- R. W. Hertzberg, Deformation and Fracture Mechanics of
Engineering Materials
- H. L. Ewalds and R. T. Wanhill, Fracture Mechanics
- Engineered Materials Handbook, Vol. 4, Ceramics and Glass,
ASM International, Metals Park, OH, 1991.
- K. K. Chawla, Ceramic Matrix Composites, Chapman and Hall,
London, 1993.
- D. Hull and T. W. Clyne, Introduction to Fiber Composites,
Cambridge University Press, 1996.
- A. Kelly and N. MacMillan, Strong Solids, Oxford Science
Publications, 1986.
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Course
Evaluation - Part I
Assessment Tools: Your grade in the course will be determined based
on your combined performance in the first (i.e. brittle materials) and second
(i.e. metallic materials) parts of the class. The first 7 weeks (brittle
materials) represents 1/2 of your final course grade and the remaining 7
weeks (metallic materials) will account for the other 1/2 of your grade.
Final grades may be curve fitted at the instructors’ discretion.
Evaluation of the Part I of the course will be homework
assignments that involve items such as problem solving, literature
searches and open book quizzes.
The point distribution for the examinations and homework sets for Part I
of the course are
as follows:
Homework Assignments 80%
Open Book Quizzes 20%
Homework assignments are to be turned in during class on the due dates indicated
on the homework posted on ANGEL. Late homework assignments will only be accepted
with agreement from the instructor.
Your performance in the second part of the class will be evaluated using
written homework, case studies, and an open book examination. You must notify
the instructor no later than 1 week prior to the scheduled due date of University
approved conflicts.
Homework sets and case studies are to be turned in to the labeled box located
outside 310 Steidle Building by 5:00 PM on the due dates indicated on the
homework posted on ANGEL. Late homework or case study assignments will not
be accepted under any circumstances.
The point distribution for the examinations and homework sets for Part II
of the course are as follows:
Homework 20%
Case Study
40%
Open Book Exam 40%
Make up policy: Make-up exams will only be permitted when absences
are due to legitimate reasons such as illness, religious observance, or other
events recognized by the University as a valid excuse for an absence. In
any case, you must contact the instructor in advance of the exam to schedule
a make-up exam. If you do not contact the instructor in advance, it may not
be possible to schedule a make-up exam. All make-up exams will be administered
during the week following the scheduled date of the exam.
Grade Accuracy: Errors in grading and/or recording of scores
must be addressed within 7 days of posting on ANGEL by contacting the instructor.
Disputes after this one week period will not be considered.
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Academic
Integrity and the Promotion of a Vibrant Learning Culture:
The following recommendations address the partnership between the faculty-teacher
and student-learner in the personal process of learning with a
focus on the maturation of students in the learning process (Senate
Policy 49-20).
The Teacher in the Learning Process.
Maintaining a high level of learning requires characteristics
in teaching necessary for a strong teacher-learner relationship.
The teacher should:
- Maintain an atmosphere of integrity, civility and
respect.
- Exhibit a strong desire for students to learn.
- Recognize that effective teaching requires a balance
among teaching, advising, research, and service.
- Encourage active student participation in learning.
- Employ effective teaching and learning strategies.
- Help students connect learning experiences.
- Develop an effective personal teaching approach.
The Student in the Learning Process.
Maintaining a high level of learning and scholarly
activity requires the following characteristics of the student
learner:
- Academic integrity, respect, and civility.
- Strong work ethic.
- Manage time wisely.
- Participate actively in class.
- Recognize importance of out-of-class learning.
- Reflect on the educational process.
- Perform self-assessment.
Academic Integrity (Senate Policy 49-20)
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT ( Graduate
School Policies )
By virtue of their maturity and experience, graduate students are expected
to have learned the meaning and value of personal honesty and professional
integrity before entering the Graduate School. Every student is
expected to exhibit and promote the highest ethical and moral standards.
A violation of such standards is regarded as a serious offense, raising
grave doubt that the student is worthy of continued membership in
the Graduate School community. The University Code of Conduct is found
in Appendix
I of the Graduate School Policies. Violation of the
Code may result in suspension or dismissal from the Graduate School.
Research Integrity--Graduate students are expected to adhere
to the highest standards of research integrity in the conduct of
their research and other educational activities. They are subject
to University policy AD-47, which applies to all University personnel
engaged in research activities. This policy may be accessed electronically
through the University's General University Reference Utility (GURU).
For MatSC 563/E MCH 534 the following specific points should also be considered.
- For homework problems, there is no difficulty in
consulting other students but the final answer to the problems should
be performed on an individual basis. No item should be copied
from any document that belongs to another person. This includes
electronic files, documents, spreadsheets, graphs, etc.
- In examinations and quizzes, only stipulated information
can be used during the evaluation nor should students copy from other
students in the class.
- All information obtained from the scientific or
engineering literature must be referenced.
- If work is performed in groups, all members must
participate and the work should be divided evenly. If a student
does not help in a group project then a grade for that project is
not deserved.
Special Needs: The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified
persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities.
If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation in this course or have
questions about physical access, please tell the instructor as soon as possible.
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