MTE2102 Phase equilibria and phase transformations
Faculty of Engineering
MTE2102 Phase equilibria and phase transformations is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Engineering, offered in 2021 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2021
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
- Workload
- 144 hours
- per semester
This is the 2021 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before MTE2102
Corequisites
Pass these before, or take them in the same semester.
After MTE2102
No unit lists MTE2102 as a prerequisite in the 2021 handbook.
Overview
This unit will focus on the microstructure of materials, considering how the stability of different phases of materials depends on basic thermodynamic functions. Phase diagrams and the key concepts of Gibbs energy and chemical potential are used to explain the equilibrium between phases and to predict the microstructures of materials. The mechanisms of new phase formation are discussed in terms of both the driving forces and kinetics of formation, including the role of atomic diffusion. What happens when the thermodynamically stable microstructural state cannot develop is discussed and metastable microstructures are considered in detail. Throughout the unit, technologically important materials systems are used to illustrate these concepts.
Offerings in 2021
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Continuous assessmentThreshold hurdle30%
- Performance mark in interactive sessionsThreshold hurdle20%
- Final assessmentThreshold hurdle50%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Describe the derivation of phase diagrams from the laws of thermodynamics, based on the concepts of Gibbs energy and chemical potentials.
- 2
Quantitatively describe equilibrium states using phase diagrams.
- 3
Use Gibbs energy curves and chemical potentials to describe the driving forces for diffusion and phase transformations.
- 4
Describe the microstructures to be expected for various material systems exhibiting, in particular complete solid solubility, eutectic, eutectoid and peritectic reactions.
- 5
Describe how atomic diffusion occurs in liquid and solid phases and how this controls the nucleation, growth and coarsening of phases.
- 6
Discuss the concept and applications of phase metastability.
- 7
Use basic laboratory skills to study the microstructure of materials, be able to work effectively within a team in carrying out laboratory work, be able to keep appropriate laboratory records and develop skills to communicate the results and conclusions of practical work.
Workload and teaching
- Lectures12 hours
- Laboratories36 hours
- Applied sessions12 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 4-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-8 hours independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
Learning resources
Required resources
You are required to bring your own laptop computer to the applied classes and practicals.
Where it fits
MTE2102 is part of 1 area of study in the 2021 handbook.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Professor Christopher Hutchinson
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Christopher Hutchinson
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for MTE2102?
None, but you must take MTE2101 or MTE2541 before or alongside it.
When is MTE2102 offered?
In 2021, MTE2102 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
How much work is MTE2102?
The handbook expects about 144 hours of study across the semester. No students have rated its difficulty yet.
Does MTE2102 have an exam?
No. MTE2102 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.
Which majors and minors include MTE2102?
MTE2102 is part of Materials engineering.