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Materials Science with Lab Exercises

Module name (EN):
Name of module in study programme. It should be precise and clear.
Materials Science with Lab Exercises
Degree programme:
Study Programme with validity of corresponding study regulations containing this module.
Mechanical and Process Engineering, Bachelor, ASPO 01.10.2019
Module code: MAB_19_A_1.03.WSK
SAP-Submodule-No.:
The exam administration creates a SAP-Submodule-No for every exam type in every module. The SAP-Submodule-No is equal for the same module in different study programs.
P241-0206, P241-0291
Hours per semester week / Teaching method:
The count of hours per week is a combination of lecture (V for German Vorlesung), exercise (U for Übung), practice (P) oder project (PA). For example a course of the form 2V+2U has 2 hours of lecture and 2 hours of exercise per week.
4V+1P (5 hours per week)
ECTS credits:
European Credit Transfer System. Points for successful completion of a course. Each ECTS point represents a workload of 30 hours.
5
Semester: 1
Mandatory course: yes
Language of instruction:
German
Assessment:
Written exam 120 min.

[updated 13.11.2024]
Applicability / Curricular relevance:
All study programs (with year of the version of study regulations) containing the course.

MAB_19_A_1.03.WSK (P241-0206, P241-0291) Mechanical and Process Engineering, Bachelor, ASPO 01.10.2019 , semester 1, mandatory course
MAB_24_A_1.03.WSK Mechanical and Process Engineering, Bachelor, SO 01.10.2024 , semester 1, mandatory course
Workload:
Workload of student for successfully completing the course. Each ECTS credit represents 30 working hours. These are the combined effort of face-to-face time, post-processing the subject of the lecture, exercises and preparation for the exam.

The total workload is distributed on the semester (01.04.-30.09. during the summer term, 01.10.-31.03. during the winter term).
75 class hours (= 56.25 clock hours) over a 15-week period.
The total student study time is 150 hours (equivalent to 5 ECTS credits).
There are therefore 93.75 hours available for class preparation and follow-up work and exam preparation.
Recommended prerequisites (modules):
None.
Recommended as prerequisite for:
MAB_19_A_2.03.GBD Basics of Component Dimensioning
MAB_19_A_2.05.KWL Construction Materials with Lab
MAB_19_IP_5.04.FML Joining Techniques with Integrated Lab Course
MAB_19_M_3.05.MK1 Machine Elements and Design 1
MAB_19_M_3.06.BTD Dimensioning Components
MAB_19_M_4.03.MK2
MAB_19_M_4.04.MK2 Engineering Design (with Project)
MAB_19_V_5.14.KTV


[updated 09.04.2026]
Module coordinator:
Prof. Dr. Moritz Habschied
Lecturer:
Prof. Dr. Moritz Habschied (lecture)
Dr.-Ing. Steven Quirin (practical training)
Angela Lellig, M.A. (practical training)


[updated 15.01.2026]
Learning outcomes:
After successfully completing this module, students will be able to name the main groups of metallic and polymeric materials and their manufacturing processes.  
Students will be able to explain the relationship between microstructure, manufacturing conditions, and material properties.   
Students will be able to classify materials according to their areas of application.   
Students will be able to analyze microstructures and derive mechanical properties from them.   
Students will be able to assess the suitability of a material in a thermally stressed application.   
Students will be able to determine suitable heat treatments for targeted property modification.  
   
Students will demonstrate a willingness to work actively in groups.  
Students will be able to organize group processes to solve technical problems.  
Students will be able to reflect on contributions made by other group members and integrate them constructively.   
Students will be able to justify their decisions regarding material selection with comprehensible factual arguments.   
Students will be able to reflect on their own approach and adjust it if necessary.   
   
Students will be able to conduct targeted research in specialist literature and databases.   
Students will be able to compare researched data and evaluate its quality and relevance.   
   
Students will be able to structure a subject topic in a meaningful way in terms of content and methodology.   
Students will be able to present their results in a manner appropriate to the target audience using suitable media.   
Students will be able to respond to critical questions in a well-founded manner.   

[updated 21.04.2026]
Module content:
Material Science
1. Structural description of materials
 1.1 Atomic structure and periodic table
 1.2 Types of bonds
 1.3 Structural descriptions of materials
 1.4 Lennard-Jones-potential energy & force-distance curve
 1.5 Introduction to crystallography
 1.6 Ideal crystals
   1.a. Excursus: Terms and definitions relevant to materials science in mechanics
    1.a.1 Force, stress, strain, elasticity, plasticity
    1.a.2 Relationship between normal stress and shear stress
 1.7 Lattice defects, their formation, and their significance for mechanical behavior (strength, deformation, etc.)
2. Mechanical material behavior (of metals)
 2.1 Elastic material behavior
 2.2 (Ideal) plastic material behavior
3. Mechanical materials testing
 3.1 Tensile testing (procedure, parameters, types of fracture, types of hardening curves, strain aging effects, hardening mechanisms, exercises)
 3.2 Charpy impact test (implementation, interpretation of results, influencing factors)
 3.3 Hardness testing (implementation of various test methods, evaluation, assessment, practical implementation instructions)
4. Alloy theory
 4.1 Phase diagram of single-component systems (e.g., water)
 4.2 Phase diagrams of two-component systems
 4.3 Lever rule, Gibbs phase rule
 4.4 Important types of (partial) phase diagrams
5. Iron-carbon diagram
 5.1 Phase description
 5.2 Microstructure development
6. Thermally activated processes / Manufacturing-related material influence
 6.1 Solidification mechanisms and ways to activate/deactivate them
 6.2 Diffusion
 6.3 Recovery, nucleation, grain growth, recrystallization
  6.4 Materials engineering: heat treatment process
  6.4.1 Phase transformations Austenite & cooling behavior --> Transformation diagrams
  6.4.2 Selected (thermal and thermochemical) heat treatment processes
7. Cast iron
 7.1 Distinction between wrought alloys and cast alloys
 7.2 Casting processes, including economic aspects
 7.3 Microstructure formation (graphite morphologies -> lamellar, vermicular, spherical & matrix -> ferritic, pearlitic, martensitic)
 7.4 White cast iron (shells and solid cast iron)
 7.5 Malleable cast iron

[updated 21.04.2026]
Teaching methods/Media:
Interactive, seminaristic lecture
Practical training in the lab in small groups


[updated 05.10.2020]
Recommended or required reading:
Online and library
 
Bargel/Schulze: „Werkstoffkunde“,  Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 12. bearb. Auflage 2018
Weißbach W., Dahms M., Jaroschek C.: „Werkstoffe und ihre Anwendungen: Metalle, Kunststoffe und mehr“, Springer Vieweg; 20., überarb. Auflage 2018
 
Nur Bibliothek
 
Läpple, V.: „Wärmebehandlung des Stahls“, Verlag Europa-Lernmittel, Haan-Gruiten, 11. aktualisierte Auflage 2014
Läpple, V., Kammer, C., Steuernagel, L.: „Werkstofftechnik Maschinenbau“, Verlag Europa-Lernmittel, Haan-Gruiten, 6. Auflage 2017
Greven, E., Magin, W.: „Werkstoffkunde und Werkstoffprüfung für technische Berufe“, Verlag Handwerk und Technik; 18. Auflage 2015
 
Book recommendations for aspiring engineers:
Andy Weir - Der Marsianer - Gestrandet auf dem Mars

[updated 21.04.2026]
 
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