Space and astronautical engineering

GIOVANNI PULCI
GIOVANNI PULCI

The course aims to allow students to acquire knowledge and skills useful for the virtuous circle of innovation-technologies-materials-products-processes in the structural and propulsive aeronautics sector and in the broader field of manufacturing industry. The topics will be treated with the use of an inter- and multidisciplinary approach, with the aim of linking knowledge and skills relating to the development and use of innovative materials technologies, aimed at implementation applications and selection / project aspects. The basic aspects aimed at identifying criteria for the selection and choice of materials that favor manufacturing approaches typical of the circular economy will also be highlighted, with reference to the use of environmentally friendly and recyclable materials, for technological processes also based on replacement materials from raw materials, including light and multi-material systems.

Students will deepen their knowledge of some fundamental classes of materials used in the aerospace industry and will develop skills in the selection, design, manufacturing processes, and analysis of such materials, with a particular focus on the performance under extreme conditions typical of the aerospace environment. By the end of the course, students will have consolidated their previous skills in the field of materials science and technology and will have acquired specific knowledge in the field of advanced materials and coatings used in the field of aerospace engineering (e.g., Ceramic Matrix Composites, Thermal Barrier Coatings, Thermal Protection Systems, nanocomposite materials, etc.).

Basic knowledge in the field of materials science and technology

1) Basics of Materials Science and technology: classification, bonds, microstructure, deformation and failure mechanisms of materials.
2) Creep and high temperature behavior of materials
3) Advanced ceramic materials and design criteria (Weibull).
4) UHTC
5) Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC).
6) Ablative materials and Thermal Protection Systems (TPS).
7) Corrosion, oxidation, and wear phenomena.
8) Ni-based superalloys for high-temperature applications.
9) Metallic coatings for high-temperature oxidation protection.
10) Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBC).
11) Environmental Barrier Coatings (EBC).
12) Thermal spray, PVD, and CVD deposition techniques.

Lectures notes and review papers provided by the lecturer

In-person class

The class attendance is strongly recommended.

Oral exam

1) CMC manufacturing processes
2) Thermochemical and thermophysical phenomena occurring during the service of ablative materials
3) Describe the architecture of a TBC system
4) Mechanism of galvanic corrosion
5) Grain size and mechanical properties in polycrystalline metallic materials

• Basics of Materials Science and
  technology: classification, bonds, microstructure, deformation and failure
  mechanisms of materials.


• Creep and high temperature
  behavior of materials


• Ligthweight alloys and Ni-based superalloys


• Corrosion, oxidation, and wear
  phenomena.


• Metallic coatings for
  high-temperature oxidation protection.


• Advanced Ceramics - UHTC, TBC, EBC


• Ceramic Matrix Composites CMC


• Design criteria of advanced ceramics (Weibull).


• Ablative materials