SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING

BTEC NATIONAL DIPLOMA DATE SET: 5th May’2009

IN
SUB. DATE: 22nd May’2009
ENGINEERING

STUDENT NAME:
MODULE: Unit -10, Properties and Applications of Engineering Materials
COURSE CODE:
ASSESSMENT TITLE: Assignment-2, Material selection criteria and modes of failure in
engineering materials.
ASSESSOR: H.Jadav/R.Vamathevan

Principal Objectives/ Outcomes:

1) Be able to describe the structure of and classify engineering materials

2) Understand material properties and the effects of processing on the structure and
behaviour of engineering materials.
3) Know how to use information sources to select materials for engineering uses.
4) Know about the mode of failure of engineering materials.

Assessor signature:- …………………………………… Date ……………..

I the undersigned confirm that the work submitted is my own authentic work. I understand that work copied
from other sources and passed as my own could result in disciplinary action taken against me.

Student name: ………………………….. Date: ……………..

Signature: ………………………..

INTERNAL VERIFICATION:

NAME: E. yambayamba Brief Varified Date…………SIGN………………

NAME…………………… GRADE VERFIED DATE……………….SIGN………………

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 Assessment Information Sheet

Tasks Grading Criteria Achi Evidence Comments/

Q: eved feedback

Pass: will be given only if

the assignment has been handed in time.
Genuine work is submitted and
assignment completed.

P5 5 Use information sources to select a Yes/ Description

different material for two given and analysis
applications, describing the criteria
considered in the selection process.
P6 6 Describe the principles of the modes of Yes/ Description
failure known as ductile/brittle fracture,
fatigue and creep.
P7 7 Perform and record the results of one Yes/ Description
destructive and one non-destructive test
method using one metal and one non-
metallic material.
P8 8 Describe a different process of degradation Yes/ Description
associated with each of metals, polymers No
and ceramics.

Merit: will be given only if

Pass criteria are fulfilled
Good use of the technical language and
proper format are demonstrated.
Evidence of in depth research

M3 11 Explain how two given degradation Yes/ Description

processes affect the behaviour of No and analysis
engineering materials.

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 Distinction: will be given only if
Merit criteria are fulfilled
An appropriate format and mastering of the
technical language are presented.
A deep understanding of the subject is
shown.

D2 14 Evaluate the results of the one test Yes/ Description

procedure. No and analysis

Action required:

Learner’s Comments:

I confirm that I received / did not receive (delete as appropriate) the constructive feedback within 2 weeks of actual
submission date of the assignment.

Learner’s Signature: Date:

Key skills
Communication C 3.1a, C3.1b, C3.2, C3.3.

Application of Numbers N3.1, N3.2, N3.3

Apply IT IT 3.1, IT 3.3

Improve own learning LP3.1/2/3

Problem solving PS3.1/2/3

Working with others WO3.1

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING YEAR 1

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 ENGINEERING MATERIALS
ASSIGNMENT 2

Task 1 P5

Below you will find two examples of well engineered products with some
information regarding the situation within which it would be used.
• You must research these products and suggest two differing materials
which could be used for each, which will enable each of the products
complete their jobs and be successful pieces of engineering.
• Explain why the material is suitable for the task and in what state it
may be utilized if applicable.
•
Product 1 – The electric kettle

The electric kettle is found in almost every home and is a corner stone of
British society. Used within the kitchen where the user’s hands may be wet it
has the simple task of boiling water and dealing with steam in a controlled
manner to prevent the user being harmed.
This product can be used many times within a day and therefore hundreds of
thousands of times within its life span and therefore is constantly heating and
cooling.
Plugging into a common household socket it allows any home owner to
purchase the design and heat water for not only hot drinks but speeds up
cooking processes also.

Product 2 – A suspension bridge

Suspension bridges are used for many differing applications; vehicle and
pedestrian bridges are most common.
The materials used in a suspension bridge need to have many qualities, the
bridge naturally moves and in under many differing pressures. With many
vehicles passing over a bridge in a day and also many can be actually on the
bridge itself during busy times.
It is also open to the elements all year round which can have a huge effect
on the materials used. They are protected from the elements in differing
ways; a famous example of this is the golden gate bridge, which spends
much of its life being repainted. Could this have been avoided by material
choice?

Task 2 P6

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Failure of materials must be known by an engineer so it can be either worked
with or avoided. To gain pass criteria P6 in the form of a report you must
describe the differing modes of failure including:
• Ductile Fracture
• Brittle Fracture
• Fracturing
• Fatigue
• Creep

Task 3 P7

Explain step by step procedure of one destructive and one non-destructive

test method using one metal and one non-metallic material.

Task 4 P8

Degradation is important when considering a material for a given product to

enable you to decide upon the life span of the design. It affects differing
materials in differing ways, to gain pass criteria P8 you must describe a
different process of degradation associated with:
• Metals
• Polymers
• & Ceramics

Task 5 M3

As an engineer you have suggested to your boss 2 differing materials for

varying processes detailed below. Your boss is pleased with your work but
wishes you to investigate how the materials will perform over time within
their set tasks.

You must write a report to explain to him how each of the materials below
will suffer from degradation over time:
• Metal: Aluminum used in production of a light weight brief case.
• Ceramic: Glass used in the production of modern green houses.

Task 6 D2

Evaluate the results of one test procedure. (Destructive or Non destructive).