Laboratories

The laboratories have been designed to:

1. Reinforce the theory presented during lectures.
2. Provide tailored materials science related experiments that can be easily incorporated into the mathematical and physical sciences laboratories at HBCU institutions.

Brief descriptions of the laboratories are listed as follows:

Laboratory #1: Introduction to Microstructures (Metallography)

The examination of the microstructure of a metal and its subsequent documentation by photographic means is an important aspect of the study of materials engineer can determine the approximate composition of a sample and much of its history by using a photomicrograph. This often includes determining whether plastic deformation has taken place, what heat treatments have been done and whether the heat treatments were done correctly. It is the purpose of this experiment to provide a familiarization with the techniques of:

1. Preparing a material for examination.
2. Examination using a light microscope.
3. Recording the structure by making a photomicrograph.
4. Interpreting the observed microstructure.
5. Using standard safety procedures during metallography.

Preparing the material for examination includes mounting it in a plastic compound.

Laboratory #2: Thin Film Processing and Clean Room Tour

This laboratory involves a tour of the clean room facilities to provide an overview of the equipment used to process and analyze thin film materials that are used in the data storage industry.

Laboratory #3: Mechanical Properties

In this laboratory tensile specimens of aluminum, steel and polyethylene will be deformed to failure at room temperature. The purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate the different ways that materials with different crystallographic structures deform.

Laboratory #4: Magnetism

The purpose of this laboratory is to demonstrate techniques used for the characterization of magnetic recording materials.

Laboratory #5: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)

Graduate student Flavia Cunha demonstrates how the SEM works as they examine the fractured structures of a broken paper clip.

This laboratory is designed to show how a more powerful instrument utilizes the relationship between atoms, electrons, and x-rays, etc. Electron beam-specimen interactions will be discussed to illustrate how these interactions result in a variety of signals (secondary electrons, backscattered electrons, x-rays, etc.) that may be "detected" in the SEM. For example, to see a "picture" of the specimen, secondary electrons or backscattered electrons must be collected and displayed. To determine the chemical composition of the specimen, the x-rays must be collected to record a spectrum.

Laboratory #6: Metal Casting

Casting is the process of forming metal objects by melting and pouring it into molds. There are many advantages to the casting process:

1. Intricate shapes can be formed.
2. Casting is adaptable to mass production.
3. Good engineering properties are obtained in cast products.

The purpose of this lab is to demonstrate casting and the related procedures and to illustrate the advantages of this process. Cast iron elephants, the UA mascot, will be cast in this laboratory.

Graduate students pour molten iron in the Ray L. Farabee Metalcasting Lab located in the Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering.	Class of 2001 workshop participant, "Sally" Vallabha (in white helmet) operates the crane controls (which holds the ladle), while graduate students and foundry technician pour molten iron into molds.

Lab #7: Composites

Composites are combinations of two different types of engineering materials. In this laboratory, a ceramic (fiberglass) and a polymer (epoxy) will be combined to make laminated fiberglass. The technique that will be used for composite fabrication is called the fiberglass hand laminating process.

Laboratory #8: Slip Casting

Slip casting is one of the processing techniques for ceramics. It involves working with a clay mixture in the liquid state. As the water content of plastic clay is increased, it becomes softer and softer until it turns into a liquid which can be poured from one container to another. This liquid is called slip. The slip is poured into a Plaster of Paris mold. When the outer clay wall is sufficiently hardened, the liquid is drained off, leaving a clay form having the same shape as the mold. The clay form can be cleaned, dried, fired, glazed and refired to produce water-tight ceramic. The purpose of this lab is to demonstrate slip casting and the steps involved in producing a casting.