Module Description 2012/13
Module Code: MAT4112 / Module Title: Glass Processing and Properties
Module Convenor: Dr R J Hand / Module Links: MAT6961
Credits: 15 / Semester: 1
Pre-requisites: / Co-requisites:
Brief Description (including aims of the course):
Oxide glasses derive many of their useful properties from their amorphous structures. This unit examines the nature of glass structures in some detail, along with the processes required to produce such structures. The structural ability of glasses to act as solvents for a wide range of species is considered in the context of nuclear waste immobilisation along with the way the chemical structure affects durability of the resulting wasteform.The limits that the amorphous structure place on the mechanical properties of glasses are also considered.
This unit aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of glasses by:
•Exploring the structural features of noncrystalline oxide materials, comprising glasses and polyphase glass-based composite materials and how these effect the properties of glassy materials;
•Describing the processing of all classes of oxide glasses including flat glass, container glass, fibre glass and fibre optics 3.Examining the use of glasses to vitrify of radioactive, toxic and hazardous wastes;
•Exploring the features of glass structures that control the chemical durability of glasses, with a specific emphasis on the durability of vitrified wastes in contact with water;
•Examining in detail the mechanical properties of glasses including strength, fracture toughness, hardness and brittleness and the variables that affect these properties are considered in detail.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
•Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of structural features of oxide glass systems;
•Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of diffusion, viscosity, ionic conductivity, and ion-exchange in noncrystalline solids;
•Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the production methods and processes used in producing glass products;
•Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of what is involved in the vitrification of radioactive and other waste materials;
•Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of chemical durability of glassy materials;
•Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of parameters need to be taken into consideration when assessing the mechanical properties of glasses and other brittle materials;
•Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the methods that may be used to improve the mechanical properties of glasses.
Assessment:
Exam: 90%
Other: 10% On-line Weibull statistics exercise
Booklist (A) Core Test; (B) Secondary Text; (C) Peripheral Reading:
(B) H Rawson Properties and applications of glasses Elsevier – chapter 9.
(B) A Paul Chemistry of glasses Chapman and Hall – chapter 4.
(B) MI Ojovan and WE Lee An introduction to nuclear waste immobilisation Elsevier – chapter 17
(B) BR Lawn Fracture of brittle solids 2nd edition CUP (1993)
(B) DJ Green An introduction to the mechanical properties of ceramics CUP (1998)
(B) D.R. Uhlmann and N.J. Kreidl (eds.) Glass science and technology. Vol 5: Elasticity and strength in glasses Academic Press (1980)