1

College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences

Module ECM3160: Materials

Guidance on
Case study: Materials wear testing and
characterizations

Overview (read this!)
This handout provides detail information on the laboratory class, format requirement and
hand-in dates.
The purpose of the laboratory class is to introduce you to undertake two laboratory works
on:
i) wear testing of materials and
ii) characterize the materials and features of the worn samples.
You will have the chance to use combined techniques/facilities to study and identify
unknown materials/components.
The results and findings from the laboratories both complement and supplement the
lecture materials. What you learn in this lab session will be examined in the formal end
of module assessment. In addition to this, the laboratory activity forms the coursework
component for this module.
For your coursework you are required to include all the experimental results from the lab
session. The laboratory assessment contributes 20% to the overall module mark. If you
do not attend the online laboratory session (unless you have written notice in advance
for particular reasons), you will not be allowed to submit a report and will be awarded a
zero mark for your coursework.

Laboratory online session
On the laboratory class day at the time slot you have been allocated in advance, you
need to link to Microsoft TEAMS, Mrs Rana Sabouni Tabari, will show you the sample
materials (either metal, alloy or steel) that has been worn or unworn in the workshop.
Then, both the worn and raw samples will be tested by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD),
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray).

The lab demonstrator, Mrs Rana Sabouni Tabari, will demonstrate how to use the XRD
to identify the crystalline of the materials. One wide-angle XRD scanning for the sample
will be carried out, crystalline identification will be realised based on the database.
Everyone will be given a copy of the four XRD results and you must attach the figure(s)
in your report. You need explain the experimental results in your report, independently.
SEM and EDX of the original material and worn material will be measured by The
experimental officer Dr. Hong Chang and everyone will get copies of the SEM images
2

and EDX results. You need to attach all the results in your report, compare the difference
of worn and original samples, and discuss what you have observed in these materials
characterizations.

Lab report
You are required to prepare a formal independent report, which should include the
following information (within 1500 words limit excluding tables and figures):
1) Abstract -- a short summary of results and findings
2) A brief introduction of the testing procedures
3) Key features and functions of the facilities used
4) Results and discussion
5) A conclusion
6) Key references

Report hand-in
You must submit your case study report to online via EBART system with submission
deadline exactly 2 weeks after your practical. Late submissions will be penalized in
line with University guidelines.

Safety
This laboratory session will be carried out online via Microsoft Teams due to the
pandemic. However, you need to be aware of some hazards associated with this practice.
Specifically:
Sample wearing: Hazard: general injury. Minimise the risk by following the
instruction of the workshop technician.
XRD test: Hazard: X-ray injury. Minimise the risk by following the instruction of the
experimental officer.



欢迎咨询51作业君