Georgia Institute of Technology

Material Behavior

Taught in English

Some content may not be translated

40,425 already enrolled

Course

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals

4.8

(1,203 reviews)

25 hours to complete
3 weeks at 8 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Assessments

20 quizzes

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Placeholder
Placeholder

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

Placeholder

There are 6 modules in this course

This module will introduce the core principles of materials science. Topics that will be covered include the different general material types (metal, ceramic, polymer, etc.) and the properties associated with each type, some methods that are used to experimentally determine and quantify a material's properties, and how a materials engineer might go about choosing a suitable material for a simple application. This module also introduces the concept of the microstructure-processing-properties relationship which is at the heart of all materials science.

What's included

14 videos4 readings2 quizzes

In this module, we will discuss the structure of the atom, how atoms interact with each other, and how those interactions affect material properties. We will explore how the types of atoms present in a material determine what kind of bonding occurs, what differentiates the three types of primary bonds - metallic, ionic, and covalent, and the implications of the type of bonding on the material microstructure. You will learn how atoms arrange themselves as a natural result of their size and bonding. This knowledge will provide you with a foundation for understanding the relationship between a material's microstructure and its properties.

What's included

18 videos3 readings4 quizzes

This module covers how atoms are arranged in crystalline materials. Many of the materials that we deal with on a daily basis are crystalline, meaning that they are made up of a regularly repeating array of atoms. The "building block" of a crystal, which is called the Bravais lattice, dtermines some of the physical properties of a material. An understanding of these crystallographic principles will be vital to discussions of defects and diffusion, which are covered in the next module.

What's included

21 videos2 readings4 quizzes

In the previous module, we learned how the lattice structure of a crystalline material in part determines the properties of that material. In this module, we will begin to learn how defects - deviations from the expected microstructure - also have a large effect on properties. This module covers one-dimensional, or point, defects which can be missing atoms (vacancies) or excess atoms (interstitial solution) or the wrong type of atom at a lattice point (substitutional solution). Building on these concepts, part of this module will cover diffusion - the movement of atoms through the crystal structure.

What's included

19 videos2 readings3 quizzes

This module covers two- and three-dimensional defects such as dislocations, grain boundaries, and precipitates. The discussion extends to explain how deformation of a material is accommodated at the microscopic level. We will finish by addressing how the presence and properties of defects can increase or decrease the strength of a material.

What's included

23 videos2 readings4 quizzes

In this module, we discuss materials that are not fully crystalline, such as polymers, rubbers, and glasses. You will learn how the absence of crystallinity affects the behavior of these materials and what factors affect their formation and properties. Lessons include discussions of the microstructure and defects in amorphous materials, partial cystallinity in polymers, and demonstrations of materials exhibiting ductile and brittle behavior at different temperatures.

What's included

24 videos3 readings3 quizzes

Instructor

Instructor ratings
4.7 (191 ratings)
Thomas H. Sanders, Jr.
Georgia Institute of Technology
2 Courses58,047 learners

Offered by

Recommended if you're interested in Mechanical Engineering

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

Showing 3 of 1203

4.8

1,203 reviews

  • 5 stars

    81.04%

  • 4 stars

    15.54%

  • 3 stars

    2.66%

  • 2 stars

    0.24%

  • 1 star

    0.49%

TB
4

Reviewed on Jul 11, 2020

YR
5

Reviewed on May 25, 2020

RK
5

Reviewed on Sep 27, 2020

Placeholder

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions