Introduction in the fundamental aspects of the degradation mechanisms induced by (electro)chemical and mechanical interaction on materials. Basics of fracture mechanics, an engineering discipline that draws upon the principles of applied mechanics and materials science. The course gives the tools to a successful application of fracture mechanics concepts to failure analysis.

Repetition and advancement of dislocation theory. Mechanical properties of metals: hardening mechanisms, high temperature plasticity, alloying effects. Case studies in alloying to illustrate the mechanisms.

Introduction to materials selection. Basic knowledge of major metallic materials: aluminium, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron and steel. Selected topics in high temperature materials: nickel and iron-base superalloys, intermetallics and refractory metals.

On the one hand, P2-IV consists of an elaborate semester project, that is presented at a project presentation event at the end of the semester. On the other hand, there are short chemistry projects in parallel, which are among others closely coordinated with Materials Synthesis II, and physics experiments on e.g. metal physics and solid state physics. One is related to PSI (incl. visit).