Faculty of Non-Ferrous Metals

Metallurgy

•  
• Methods of nanomaterials synthesis (bottom-up and bottom-down approaches) and their influence on material properties
• Kinetics of hydrometallurgical processes – factors affecting the leaching rate of metal-bearing materials
• Electrochemical processes in materials engineering based on aluminum anodizing (process parameters and oxide layer structure)
• The role of overpotential in electrochemical processes based on hydrogen evolution and metal deposition
• Metal recycling – process stages and their importance based on the example of aluminum recycling
• Molten salt electrolysis in metallurgy (e.g., the Hall–Heroult process, role of electrolyte composition)
• Equilibrium of gas-phase reactions in metallurgical processes based on the Boudouard reaction – the effect of temperature and pressure and its industrial relevance

Material science

• Methods of strengthening metals and alloys.
• What are the mechanisms of plastic deformation - characteristics.
• What is the thermo-plastic treatment of Al alloys?
• Characterize brass and bronze.
• Explain the mechanical synthesis process.

Metal forming

• Characteristics of semi-continuous and continuous casting methods for ingots of non-ferrous metals and their alloys as feedstock for metal forming processes
• Classification and characteristics of plastic forming processes for non-ferrous metals and their alloys, divided into cold and hot processes and based on the method of plastic forming
• The effect of plastic forming and heat treatment of non-ferrous metals and their alloys on changes in microstructure and the mechanical and electrical properties of materials, based on selected examples
• Characteristics of tools and equipment for plastic forming processes of non-ferrous metals and their alloys, based on selected examples
• The role of friction and lubricants in metal forming processes
• Basic mechanical properties of metals and their alloys and methods for determining them
• The yield curve of metals, methods of determination, and the significance of the yield curve in manufacturing processes and in shaping product properties

1. Basics of solid-state thermodynamics
   a. thermodynamic description of a condensed system;
   b. the phase rule and phase diagrams;
   c. the concept of entropy in solids;
   d. chemical affinity;

2. Basics of crystallochemistry
   a. chemical bonds vs. material properties;
   b. isomorphism and polymorphism;
   c. the Pauling's rule,
   d. solid solutions;

3. Transport of mass and heat in solids
   a. mechanisms of heat transport in solid bodies;
   b. correlation between heat transport and chemical bonds;
   c. chemical diffusion and interdiffusion;
   d. quantitative description of diffusion process;

4. Microstructure of ceramic materials
   a. elements of microstructure and their mutual correlations;
   b. influence of grain size and porosity level on mechanical properties of ceramic materials;
   c. quantitative description of microstructure elements;
   d. a model of grain boundaries;

5. Methods of investigations of solids (general characteristics)
   a. investigation methods of crystalline and amorphous bodies;
   b. methods of investigation of thermal properties of solids;
   c. vibrational spectroscopy;
   d. methods of investigation of solid surfaces;
   e. methods of investigation of solids microstructure;

6. Unit processes in chemical technology
   a. methods of powders preparation;
   b. energy balance of grinding process;
   c. methods of powders granulation;
   d. modes of the sintering process;

7. Characteristics of ceramic building materials
   a. basics of the technology of fired ceramic building materials (plastic deformation molding and semi-dry molding methods);
   b. technological additives - types and their role;
   c. general characteristics of building binding materials – air-hardening binders, hydraulic binders;
   d. concrete - granular composite, shrinkage of concrete and types of its corrosion

8. Glassy state
   a. glassy and crystalline state - differences and similarities;
   b. research methods allowing to identify and investigate glassy state;
   c. influence of chemical composition on glass properties;
   d. thermal stability of the glass;

9. Characteristics of consumer ceramics (porcelain, stoneware)

   a. general characteristics of raw siliceous, clayey and carbonate raw materials;
   b. transformations occurring in clay minerals during heating;
   c. the role of individual raw material components of porcelain mass;
   d. ceramic glazes