Course CodeVSS202Fee CodeS2Duration (approx)100 hoursQualificationTo obtain formal documentation the optional exam(s) must be completed which will incur an additional fee of £30. Alternatively, a letter of completion may be requested. Study and compare the properties of different types of materials including metals, plastics and glass, to make better choices for construction. Understand the appropriate, safe, and sustainable choices in the use of materials for different applications. Learn to work with metals Lesson Structure There are 8 lessons in this course: Properties & Classification of Materials Properties of Materials Mechanical Properties Thermal Properties Electrical Properties Environmental Properties Manufacturing Properties Economic Properties Classification of Materials Metals Ceramics Polymers Composites Minerals Silicates Non Silicate Minerals Metals and Their Uses Ferrous Materials -pig iron, wrought iron, grey iron etc Non Ferrous Metals Aluminium Copper Lead Zinc Tin Nickel Rare Earth Elements Lanthanides Properties and Uses of Rare Earth Elements Other Metals -Titanium, Gold, Silver, Chromium, Tungsten, Antimony Metal Alloys and Their Uses Malleability Ductility Strength Benefits of Alloys Ferrous Alloys Cast Irons Steels Steel Grading Non Ferrous Alloys: White metal, Nickel-Silver, etc Tin Alloys Copper Alloys Aluminium Alloys Titanium Alloys Titanium, Gold and Silver Alloys Rare Earth Alloys Working with Metals Metal work Gauges/Sizing Grades Bulk Forming - forging, rolling extrusion, cold sizing, bending, coining, spinning, stamping etc. Casting Metals - expandable and non expandable Cutting Metals - machining, hand cutting, burning Finishing Joining Metals - soldering, welding, brazing, riveting Non-metals and Their Uses Porcelain Earthenware Glass Brick Polymers Plastics Plant Fibres Resins Rubber Composites - concrete, ceramic matrix composites, weed composites, metal matrix composites Polymer Matrix Composites - fibreglass, carbon fibre Working with Ceramics (and Glass) Making Pottery Kneading and wedging Shaping - hand building, using a potters wheel, injection moulding, jiggering, jolleying etc Glazing - vitreous enamel, overglaze, underglaze, salt glazing Decorating Firing Making Glass - hot end, cold end etc Glass Sheet Working with Glass - Cutting, fixing, joining, blowing Working with Polymers & Composites Synthetic Polymers Plastic manufacturing Joining Plastics Plastic welding techniques Polymer Clay Natural Polymers -working rubber Composites - working fibreglass Safe and Sustainable Handling of Materials Safe Use of Materials Case Studies Sustainable Use of Materials Recycling Major PBL Project Aims Explain important properties of materials used to make things and how they are classified. Differentiate different pure metals and their uses. Explain different metal alloys and their uses. Explain how to work with metals; cutting, shaping and fixing. Explain the main groups of non-metals and their use in making things. Explain how to work with ceramics; cutting, shaping and fixing. Explain how glass is made. Explain how to work with different polymers and composites, including cutting, shaping and fixing. Determine appropriate, safe, and sustainable choices in the use of materials for different applications.