Materials selection

Summary

Propose suitable materials, design, and production routes depending on different performance criteria using a computer based software approach. The course is based on Prof. Mike Ashby's well known "Ashby plots" comparing different material properties (mechanical, thermal, chemical, etc.).

Content

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Keywords

Materials evaluation,

production processes evaluation,

economical and ecological considerations

case studies

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

Basics in materials &

mechanical engineering

Recommended courses

Engineering Design

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

• Propose Propose the best material for a specifica application..
• Work out / Determine materials constraints and free variables.
• Derive indices of goodness (mechanical, thermal, ecological...).
• Create and defend a selection strategy respecting multiple objectives.
• Assess / Evaluate production methods with respect to economical and ecological aspects.

Transversal skills

• Use a work methodology appropriate to the task.
• Use both general and domain specific IT resources and tools
• Continue to work through difficulties or initial failure to find optimal solutions.
• Take responsibility for environmental impacts of her/ his actions and decisions.
• Set objectives and design an action plan to reach those objectives.
• Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.

Teaching methods

50% ex-cathedra, 50% cases studies, exercises and discussion

Expected student activities

Attendance at lectures and solving of case studies

Assessment methods

Written exam

Resources

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

Yes

Bibliography

e.g. "Materials Selection in Mechanical Design" by Michael F. Ashby, Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, ISBN : 1-282-87870-0; ISBN : 9786612878701

Ressources en bibliothèque

• Materials Selection in Mechanical Design / Ashby

Notes/Handbook

PDFs of the manuscript/slides will be distributed.

Moodle Link

• https://go.epfl.ch/MSE-474