Course detail

Engineering Materials

FSI-ZKM Acad. year: 2026/2027 Winter semester

The course offers an overview of the main groups of structural materials, emphasising the identification of key properties of machine components that determine the choice of suitable materials. It develops graduates' ability to recognise specific material properties in given structural application. Through laboratory exercises, students will deepen their understanding of the properties essential for material selection; in the computer lab, they will learn basic material selection procedures using CES Granta software. In addition to interaction between teacher and student, continuous self-study and completion of homework assignments are required. Building on the course Limit States of Materials, students will acquire the skills necessary for material selection, which they will apply mainly to project-based problems.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

5

Supervisor

prof. Ing. Ivo Dlouhý, CSc.

Department

Institute of Materials Science and Engineering

Entry knowledge

Knowledge of high school-level physics and chemistry concepts and equations, as well as knowledge of statics, design, elasticity, and strength.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Conditions for obtaining credit (0–50 points; minimum required for credit is 25): (i) submission of all assigned homework, (ii) credit test (minimum 25 out of 50 points); (iii) students who do not achieve 25 points in the credit test may take a make-up test during the first week of the examination period.

Attendance at exercises is mandatory and supervised by the teacher; a maximum of two absences is permitted. In the case of long-term absence, compensation for missed lessons is the responsibility of the course supervisor.

Conditions for taking the exam (0–100 points; minimum required to pass is 50): (i) attendance at lectures, (ii) written part of the exam (maximum 40 points), (iii) oral part of the exam, including discussion of the written part (maximum 60 points). A total of up to 100 points can be obtained; the final grade will be determined according to the ECTS scale.

Lectures: attendance is mandatory and monitored by the teacher.

Aims

Graduates will gain knowledge of the main groups of structural materials, understand the importance of material selection in the design process, and, based on the required properties of a machine component, be able to select a suitable material for a given application.

  • Knowledge of the main groups of structural materials.
  • Ability to identify key product properties necessary for correct material selection.
  • Knowledge of various material selection methods.
  • Ability to select an appropriate material selection method for the application.
  • Ability to work with a material database system suitable for material selection.
  • Ability to design the optimal material for a machine component or machine.

Study aids

PowerPoint lecture presentations available on the shared Teams space or E-learning platform serve as study aids for students.

The study programmes with the given course

Programme B-KSI-P: Mechanical Engineering Design, Bachelor's, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, compulsory

Syllabus


  • Material properties and material selection, tools for material selection (including computer-aided methods).

  • Material selection in the component design process, aspects of material selection (material properties, technology, economic factors, environmental impact/recycling, industrial design, etc.).

  • Low-alloy structural steels (Fe-C, Fe-Fe3C diagrams, phase transformations, ICC and CCC diagrams, principles of heat treatment, typical components/constructions, typical property indicators for individual steel groups, selection criteria).

  • Tool steels, cast irons, high-strength steels (Fe-C, Fe-Fe3C diagrams, powder metallurgy, heat treatment, key properties for selection).

  • High-alloy steels and alloys (corrosion behaviour, cryogenic steels, stainless steels, nickel alloys, etc., typical property indicators).

  • Non-ferrous metals and alloys (equilibrium diagrams, strengthening mechanisms, aluminium, magnesium and titanium alloys, copper and nickel, typical properties, selection considerations).

  • Plastics, composites and laminates (types and classification of plastics, principles of composite formation, typical properties, selection considerations).

  • Ceramics and glasses (types of structural ceramics and glasses, typical properties, selection considerations). Material properties and material selection, tools for material selection (including computer-aided methods).

Laboratory exercise

4 hours, compulsory

Syllabus

Properties of materials determined by mechanical tests (interpretation of tensile test data). Properties of materials identified by structural analytical methods (differentiation of materials based on structure observed under microscopes).

Computer-assisted exercise

22 hours, compulsory

Syllabus


  • Use of CES/Granta software for material selection.
    Selection of structural steel based on required component properties.

  • Selection of cast iron or hardened steel for specific applications.

  • Selection of alloy steel for corrosive or high-temperature applications.

  • Selection of non-ferrous alloys with low specific gravity for specific applications.

  • Role of high melting point metal-based alloys in high-temperature applications.

  • Selection of plastics and composites for specific applications.

  • Selection of ceramics and glasses for specific applications.