CERAMICS & CERAMIC COATINGS - 2020/1

Module Overview

Ceramics are used in bulk form or as coating materials in a wide variety of applications. The processing, properties and key uses of ceramics both as bulk and coating materials will be covered.

Module provider

Mechanical Engineering Sciences

Module Leader

DOREY Robert (Mech Eng Sci)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

• Overview of bulk ceramics and ceramic coatings


• Ceramics processing – powders, green bodies, densification


• Ceramic coating processes and growth processes mechanisms


• Structural, chemical and mechanical characterisation of ceramic coatings


• Industrial applications and selection of ceramic coatings


• Mechanical properties of ceramics


• Behaviour of bulk ceramics and ceramic coatings subjected to indentation and wear processes


• Principal materials and their application areas.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

N/A

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate that they: (i) have acquired key knowledge spanning the entire subject matter (short answer questions) (ii) can use and extend this knowledge to deal with more complex or speculative situations (extended answer question) and (iii) can demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the current state-of-the-art (applications question).

Summative assessment and formative feedback

• Q1 (4 x short answer) + Q2 (long answer question)

• Q3 (6 x short answer) + Q4 (long answer question)

• Formative verbal feedback is given in lectures and tutorials.


• Written feedback is given on the first assessment coursework (Q1 & Q2), which is submitted in advance of the final summative assessment.

Module aims

• a systematic understanding of the techniques used to produce bulk ceramics and ceramic coatings and the influence of these on the resulting microstructures
• a detailed knowledge of the properties of bulk ceramics and ceramic coatings and an understanding of how these properties are related to the processing routes and microstructures
• an appreciation of the key application areas of the bulk ceramics and ceramic coatings.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to introduce students to various concepts and ideas via lectures then give them the opportunity to test their understanding and put them into practice, via tutorial work.  This is complemented by the opportunity to observe various practical processes via laboratory demonstrations.

The learning and teaching methods include:

• Lectures


• Tutorials with written exercises


• Discussion groups


• Laboratory demonstrations


• Guidance through on-line resources

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENGM174

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2020/1 academic year.