Course detail
Experimental Methods in Materials Engineering II
FSI-WEM Acad. year: 2027/2028 Winter semester
Basic experimental methods for the structural and phase analysis of metallic materials. The focus is primarily on the study of microstructure using modern imaging techniques—such as light and electron microscopy—as well as analytical methods for phase analysis, determining chemical composition, and assessing the physical properties of materials (e.g., X-ray analysis, spectroscopy, dilatometry). Students learn how to evaluate specific material parameters and characteristics in accordance with valid standards.
Language of instruction
Czech
Number of ECTS credits
5
Supervisor
Entry knowledge
The study of experimental methods used for the analysis of the structure (morphology and phase composition) of materials requires basic knowledge of physics, mathematics, and materials science at a level corresponding for the given year of bachelor's study.
Rules for evaluation and completion of the course
Exam: written and oral parts.
Awarding the course-unit credit is full and active participation in exercises.
Attendance at seminars is compulsory. Absence from seminars may be compensated for by the agreement with the teacher.
Aims
The aim of the course is to provide students with an overview and the theoretical foundations of the most common methods used for the comprehensive structural and phase analysis of engineering materials in current technical practice (physical principles of the methods, instrument parameters, practical applications, etc.), including sample preparation for each method.
Study aids
Study aids are in form of lecture presentation accessible via E-learning.
The study programmes with the given course
Programme B-ZSI-P: Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor's
specialization MTI: Materials Engineering, compulsory
Type of course unit
Lecture
26 hours, compulsory
Syllabus
Fundamentals of Light Microscopy
- classification, light sources, microscope design and parameters, lens aberrations
- imaging principles, observation methods: BF, DF, DIC, etc.
- advantages and disadvantages of individual systems, practical applications
Preparation of Metallographic Samples
- fundamental principles
- preparation procedure
- contrast enhancement
- potential obstacles during the preparation and evaluation of metallographic specimens
Image Analysis
- evaluation of microstructural parameters
- advantages and disadvantages of using image analysis (IA) systems (resolution, thresholding, etc.)
- quantitative metallography
- examples of IA applications (phase quantification, morphological evaluation, thickness measurement, grain size assessment, cast iron analysis, micro-cleanliness, etc.)
Introduction to Electron Microscopy (TEM, SEM, etc.)
- fundamentals of electron optics and vacuum technology
- operating principles, functional components, image generation, detected signals, signal characteristics, types of contrast in SEM
- comparison of SEM and TEM
- SEM utilization – typical applications, sample requirements
- derivative techniques, FIB-SEM
Microanalysis of Chemical Composition by EDS or WDS
- techniques for local chemical analysis in SEM – an overview
- qualitative and quantitative EDS/WDS analysis; ZAF/PhiRhoZ corrections
X-ray Structural Phase Analysis
- generation of X-rays, interaction of X-rays with matter, X-ray diffraction
- X-ray diffraction methods
- qualitative and quantitative X-ray diffraction analysis – sample requirements, detection limits, typical applications, and factors limiting measurement
Spectroscopic Chemical Analysis Methods
- overview of methods – advantages, disadvantages, detection limits, ranges, application
- optical emission spectrometry – classification, physical principles, instrumentation
- glow discharge optical emission spectrometry
- inductively coupled plasma optical spectrometry + emerging trends
- atomic absorption spectrometry – physical principles, absorption measurement
- combustion analyzers – analysis of C, S, O, N, and H in metallic materials
Thermal analysis methods
- fundamental physical principles, sample requirements, detection limits, applications
- DSC (+ DTA), TG
Evaluation of basic microstructural parameters
- macro-purity
- micro-purity of materials (inclusions classification; evaluation according to ASTM, ISO, and DIN standards)
- grain size evaluation according to ČSN, ASTM, and ISO standards
- evaluation of the carbide phase according to SEP 1520
- ealuation of cast irons according to ISO and ČSN standards
- evaluation of DAS (Dendrite Arm Spacing) and porosity
Defect analysis, hardness/microhardness measurement, evaluation of welded joints
- defects in metallurgical products
- microhardness measurement methods
- quality evaluation of welded joints based on macro- and microstructure
Laboratory exercise
18 hours, compulsory
Syllabus
- preparation of samples for light and electron microscopy
- practical observation and evaluation of material structures using light microscopy (utilizing color contrast)
- application of local chemical microanalysis in SEM (EDS)
- practical use of spectroscopic chemical analysis
- application of physical methods (dilatometry, DSC)
- practical application of microstructural parameter evaluation using available image analysis modules
Exercise
8 hours, compulsory
Syllabus
- examples of SEM applications (surface morphology, chemical contrast, channeling contrast)
- X-ray phase analysis – application examples
- introduction to quantitative metallography
- determination of grain size in steels and non-ferrous alloys using various standards and methods; evaluation of microstructural parameters