Engineering Materials and Processes

Course Description

ETI1420C is a combined lecture and laboratory course providing a comprehensive introduction to the characteristics, behavior, and manufacturing properties of engineering materials. Students examine the interrelationships of structure, property, performance, and material selection across major material families — including metal alloys, polymers, ceramics, and composites — and explore the fundamental manufacturing processes used to shape and form those materials in industrial settings. A lab fee is required.

This course is part of the Engineering Technologies > Industrial Systems Technology taxonomy within the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) and is a core requirement in most Associate in Science degrees in Engineering Technology across Florida colleges.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify and classify the four principal categories of engineering materials: metals, ceramics, polymers, and composites.
• Describe the interrelationships among material structure, properties, performance, and selection criteria for engineering applications.
• Compare the mechanical, thermal, electrical, and chemical properties of ferrous and non-ferrous metal alloys.
• Explain the characteristics and manufacturing properties of polymers, including thermoplastics and thermosets.
• Describe the properties and industrial uses of ceramics and glasses.
• Analyze the advantages and limitations of composite materials in engineering design and manufacturing.
• Identify and describe fundamental metal-casting, shaping, and forming processes and the machines used in manufacturing.
• Apply material selection criteria to match materials to specific engineering application requirements.
• Follow safe laboratory practices when handling materials and operating lab equipment.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on institution and instructor, students may also:

• Identify and evaluate sustainable and green materials and their role in modern manufacturing.
• Perform or interpret basic material testing procedures (e.g., tensile, hardness, impact testing) and analyze results.
• Examine the properties and applications of electronic/semiconductor materials used in engineering systems.
• Discuss material failure analysis concepts, including fatigue, fracture, and corrosion.
• Relate material selection to cost, availability, and manufacturability in an industrial context.

Major Topics

Required Topics

The following content areas are consistently covered across Florida college offerings of ETI1420C:

• Introduction to Engineering Materials — Overview of material families; structure-property-performance relationships; material selection methodology.
• Atomic Structure and Bonding — Ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding; crystalline vs. amorphous structures; how atomic structure determines material behavior.
• Ferrous Metals and Alloys — Plain carbon steels, alloy steels, cast irons; phase diagrams; heat treatment processes (annealing, quenching, tempering).
• Non-Ferrous Metals and Alloys — Aluminum, copper, titanium, magnesium, and their alloys; properties and industrial applications.
• Polymers — Thermoplastics vs. thermosets; polymerization; mechanical and thermal properties; common polymer types and applications.
• Ceramics and Glasses — Classification, properties, manufacturing methods, and engineering applications.
• Composite Materials — Fiber-reinforced, particle-reinforced, and structural composites; matrix types; manufacturing and applications.
• Metal Casting Processes — Sand casting, die casting, investment casting, and continuous casting; process selection criteria.
• Forming and Shaping Processes — Rolling, forging, extrusion, drawing, and sheet metal forming; powder metallurgy.
• Material Joining Processes — Welding, brazing, soldering, adhesive bonding, and mechanical fastening.
• Machining and Material Removal — Introduction to turning, milling, drilling, and grinding; tooling and machine operation fundamentals.
• Laboratory Exercises — Hands-on identification, testing, and evaluation of material specimens; safe use of laboratory equipment.

Optional Topics

The following topics may be covered at the discretion of the instructor or institution:

• Sustainable and Green Materials — Recycled content, bio-based polymers, life-cycle analysis, and environmental impact of material selection.
• Electronic and Semiconductor Materials — Conductors, insulators, and semiconductors; materials used in electronic components and circuit boards.
• Material Testing and Mechanical Properties — Tensile testing, hardness (Rockwell, Brinell), Charpy impact testing; interpreting stress-strain curves.
• Corrosion and Degradation — Electrochemical corrosion, oxidation, polymer degradation; prevention strategies.
• Additive Manufacturing Materials — Materials used in 3D printing (FDM, SLA, SLS); comparison to traditional manufacturing.
• Surface Finishing and Coatings — Plating, painting, anodizing, thermal spray, and heat treatments for surface hardening.
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Introduction — Visual, ultrasonic, radiographic, and dye penetrant inspection methods.

Resources & Tools

• Textbook (Typical): Fundamentals of Modern Manufacturing by Groover, or Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction by Callister & Rethwisch — commonly adopted across Florida college sections.
• Laboratory Equipment: Material specimen sets (metals, ceramics, polymers, composites), hardness testers, tensile testing machines, metallurgical microscopes, and basic machine shop tools.
• Software/Digital Tools: Canvas LMS (standard across Florida colleges); online SCNS course database; virtual material property databases (e.g., MatWeb).
• Reference Standards: ASTM International material and testing standards; ASM Handbook series.

Career Pathways

Completion of ETI1420C supports entry into the following career fields and aligns with multiple industrial certifications and A.S. degree pathways:

• Manufacturing Technician — Applies materials knowledge to production, quality control, and process improvement on the plant floor.
• Quality Control/Assurance Inspector — Tests and evaluates materials and finished products against specifications and standards.
• Process/Manufacturing Engineer (Technologist) — Selects materials and designs or optimizes production processes in an industrial setting.
• Welding and Fabrication Technician — Uses material joining and forming knowledge in metal fabrication and structural assembly.
• Materials Testing Laboratory Technician — Conducts mechanical, chemical, and physical testing of industrial materials.
• Industrial Maintenance Technician — Applies material selection and process knowledge to equipment repair, replacement, and maintenance planning.

This course supports progress toward the Associate in Science (A.S.) in Engineering Technology / Industrial Systems Technology and related workforce certificates at Florida colleges. It also provides foundational knowledge relevant to certifications from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME), the American Society for Quality (ASQ), and the American Welding Society (AWS).

Special Information

• Lab Fee Required: A laboratory fee is assessed at registration to cover materials, consumables, and specimen sets used in hands-on laboratory exercises.
• Safety: Students must complete a lab safety orientation before participating in hands-on laboratory activities. Personal protective equipment (PPE) including safety glasses and appropriate clothing are required during all lab sessions.
• SCNS Equivalency: Under Florida's Statewide Course Numbering System, ETI1420C is guaranteed to transfer as an equivalent course to all participating Florida public colleges and universities, satisfying program requirements on the same basis as credits awarded to native students.
• SME Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT): Course content directly supports preparation for the SME CMfgT examination, particularly in the domains of manufacturing processes and materials science.
• ASQ Alignment: Material properties, testing, and quality-related content aligns with foundational knowledge for the ASQ Certified Quality Inspector (CQI) credential.