Materials science II Lecture and exercise

In addition to the lecture Materials Science I (metals), the lecture Materials Science II provides important basic knowledge about the material groups plastics (IKV, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Hopmann, 1st half of the semester) and engineering ceramics (IWM, Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Broeckmann, 2nd half of the semester). The “Plastics” section focuses on the properties of the material, which are also considered in connection with the most important manufacturing processes in plastics technology (extrusion, injection molding).

Contents of the lecture

The lecture “Materials Science II: Plastics – Processing and Properties” initially focuses on the classification of plastics into the groups of thermoplastics, elastomers and thermosets and conveys their properties and specific processing behavior. In order to characterise plastics as a group of materials, knowledge of the physical and mechanical material properties in particular is required. Equally important is a comprehensive understanding of how plastics and their properties can be modified using additives or the production of material composites so that they meet specific product requirements and the potential of plastics as a “customised material” is optimally exploited. In the following explanation of the processing methods extrusion and injection moulding, the influence that the processing has on the material properties is considered in particular. Finally, the lecture provides an initial introduction to the important field of fiber-reinforced plastics and focuses on the design of plastic components. The focus here is particularly on material-compatible design. The second half of the semester deals with ceramics.