UNIT 25: MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF METALLIC MATERIALS
Unit 25: Mechanical Behaviour of Metallic
Materials
Level: 3
Unit type: Internal
Guided learning hours: 60
Unit in brief
Learners investigate and conduct tests on the mechanical properties of metals, consider suitable
applications and explore failure modes to improve component design.
Unit introduction
Selecting the most appropriate material and processing method for an engineered product or
system is critical to ensure that it is fit for purpose. The materials used in the airframe of an
aeroplane, car body pressings, cast components in domestic appliances and the ‘T’-shaped
electricity pylons (in the UK) all require careful selection and testing of appropriate metallic
materials.
In this unit, you will investigate and research the microstructures of ferrous and non-ferrous
metallic materials, some of which will have been processed, for example heat treated. You will use
a metallurgical microscope to inspect the microstructures of the materials you are investigating.
You will also undertake destructive and non-destructive tests on the materials and use the results
of the experimentation and research to determine the mechanical properties of, and suitable
applications for, the materials. Finally, you will examine the reasons why components have failed
in service and consider possible design improvements that could prevent failure.
As an engineer it is important to know about and understand the capabilities of a range of metallic
materials to create products and systems that are suitable for application. This unit will help to
prepare you for an apprenticeship or a technician-level role in industry. It will also help to prepare
you for a range of higher education courses, such as a Higher National Diploma (HND) or a degree
in any engineering discipline.
Learning aims
In this unit you will:
A Investigate the microstructures of metallic materials, the effects of processing on
them and how these effects influence their mechanical properties
B Explore safely the mechanical properties of metallic materials and the impact on
their in-service requirements
C Explore the in-service failure of metallic components and consider improvements to
their design.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National in Engineering – 1
Specification – Issue 1 – February 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2015
, UNIT 25: MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF METALLIC MATERIALS
Summary of unit
Learning aim Key content areas Recommended
assessment approach
A Investigate the A1 Types of ferrous metals
microstructures of metallic and alloys
materials, the effects of A2 Types of non-ferrous
processing on them and metals and alloys
how these effects influence A3 Mechanical properties of A report containing
their mechanical properties metallic materials investigative research and
A4 Grain structure of metallic library images of the
materials microstructures of metallic
materials, some of which will
A5 Effects of processing on
have been processed.
the mechanical properties
of metallic materials
A6 Microstructure
investigation of metallic
materials
B Explore safely the B1 In-service requirements of A portfolio of results gathered
mechanical properties of metallic materials from tests on samples of given
metallic materials and the B2 Destructive test metallic materials and an
procedures investigation of the materials,
impact on their in-service
supported by a logbook and
requirements B3 Non-destructive test
images. Observation records
procedures
are essential.
C Explore the in-service C1 Ductile and brittle fracture
A report containing
failure of metallic C2 Creep failure investigative research into
components and consider C3 Fatigue failure the failure mode of given
improvements to their C4 Corrosion mechanisms engineered products or
design components and possible
C5 Design considerations to
design solutions. Observation
help prevent component
records are essential.
failure
2 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National in Engineering –
Specification – Issue 1 – February 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2015
Unit 25: Mechanical Behaviour of Metallic
Materials
Level: 3
Unit type: Internal
Guided learning hours: 60
Unit in brief
Learners investigate and conduct tests on the mechanical properties of metals, consider suitable
applications and explore failure modes to improve component design.
Unit introduction
Selecting the most appropriate material and processing method for an engineered product or
system is critical to ensure that it is fit for purpose. The materials used in the airframe of an
aeroplane, car body pressings, cast components in domestic appliances and the ‘T’-shaped
electricity pylons (in the UK) all require careful selection and testing of appropriate metallic
materials.
In this unit, you will investigate and research the microstructures of ferrous and non-ferrous
metallic materials, some of which will have been processed, for example heat treated. You will use
a metallurgical microscope to inspect the microstructures of the materials you are investigating.
You will also undertake destructive and non-destructive tests on the materials and use the results
of the experimentation and research to determine the mechanical properties of, and suitable
applications for, the materials. Finally, you will examine the reasons why components have failed
in service and consider possible design improvements that could prevent failure.
As an engineer it is important to know about and understand the capabilities of a range of metallic
materials to create products and systems that are suitable for application. This unit will help to
prepare you for an apprenticeship or a technician-level role in industry. It will also help to prepare
you for a range of higher education courses, such as a Higher National Diploma (HND) or a degree
in any engineering discipline.
Learning aims
In this unit you will:
A Investigate the microstructures of metallic materials, the effects of processing on
them and how these effects influence their mechanical properties
B Explore safely the mechanical properties of metallic materials and the impact on
their in-service requirements
C Explore the in-service failure of metallic components and consider improvements to
their design.
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National in Engineering – 1
Specification – Issue 1 – February 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2015
, UNIT 25: MECHANICAL BEHAVIOUR OF METALLIC MATERIALS
Summary of unit
Learning aim Key content areas Recommended
assessment approach
A Investigate the A1 Types of ferrous metals
microstructures of metallic and alloys
materials, the effects of A2 Types of non-ferrous
processing on them and metals and alloys
how these effects influence A3 Mechanical properties of A report containing
their mechanical properties metallic materials investigative research and
A4 Grain structure of metallic library images of the
materials microstructures of metallic
materials, some of which will
A5 Effects of processing on
have been processed.
the mechanical properties
of metallic materials
A6 Microstructure
investigation of metallic
materials
B Explore safely the B1 In-service requirements of A portfolio of results gathered
mechanical properties of metallic materials from tests on samples of given
metallic materials and the B2 Destructive test metallic materials and an
procedures investigation of the materials,
impact on their in-service
supported by a logbook and
requirements B3 Non-destructive test
images. Observation records
procedures
are essential.
C Explore the in-service C1 Ductile and brittle fracture
A report containing
failure of metallic C2 Creep failure investigative research into
components and consider C3 Fatigue failure the failure mode of given
improvements to their C4 Corrosion mechanisms engineered products or
design components and possible
C5 Design considerations to
design solutions. Observation
help prevent component
records are essential.
failure
2 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National in Engineering –
Specification – Issue 1 – February 2016 © Pearson Education Limited 2015
