Course detail

Processing of Nonmetallic Materials

FSI-WNK-AAcad. year: 2026/2027

The course covers the fundamentals of advanced ceramics, glass, glass-ceramics, and polymeric organic materials. Emphasis is placed on the principles of technologies for individual groups of materials. Processing methods are discussed in relation to the nature and properties of the material. The course also includes an overview of the processing of ceramic-ceramic, glass-ceramic, and ceramic-polymer composites.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

5

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. Martin Trunec, Dr.

Department

Institute of Materials Science and Engineering (ÚMVI)

Offered to foreign students

Of all faculties

Entry knowledge

Students have to prove the knowledge of structure and properties of non-metallic materials. Knowledge of chemistry is required at the level of general secondary school.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Examination will be carried out in the way of discussion with the student. During the discussion students will prove the knowledge of principles of advanced ceramic processing methods. Each student will receive a selected product of polycrystalline ceramic product with a brief material and purpose descriptions. In the following discussion, the students have to be able to determine the appropriate fabrication method. This method has to be described and justified.
Compensation for missed lessons will be solved case by case.

Aims

The aim of the course is to present the basic overview of methods for advanced non-metallic materials processing. Students will learn of principles of particular methods and of their relation to the materials.
Participants of the course will be able to analyse processing needs of particular materials and select the appropriate processing method for the selected application.

Study aids

The basic study material will be lectures in the form of PowerPoint presentations, which also include links to further reading.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Anderson, J.C., Leaver, K.D., Rawlings, R.D., Alexander, J.M.: Materials Science, 4th edition, Chapman @Hall, London 1990 (EN)
Reed, J.S.: Principles of Ceramic Processing, 2nd edition, John Wiley @ Sons, New York 1995 (EN)
Rosato, D.V., Rosato, D.V., Rosato M.G.: Injection Molding Handbook, 3rd edition, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston 2000 (EN)

Recommended reading

Richerson, D.W.: Modern Ceramic Engineering, 2nd edition, Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston 2000 (EN)

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B-STI-Z Bachelor's 1 year of study, winter semester, recommended course

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Martin Trunec, Dr.

Syllabus

1. Classification of non-metallic materials and their characterisation from processing viewpoint - ceramics, glass and glass-ceramics, plastics, non-metallic composites
2. Principles of ceramics processing; introduction, powder treatment and powder evaluation
3. Shaping of ceramic green bodies; dry shaping
4. Shaping of ceramic green bodies; wet shaping - dense and porous ceramics
5. Shaping of ceramic green bodies; plastic shaping, additive methods
6. Drying and binder removal, sintering
7. Machining of sintered parts, single crystal fabrication
8. Principles of glass processing and glass-ceramics processing; introduction, glass melting
9. Glass shaping; casting, pressing, rolling, float process, blowing
10. Thermal processing of glass and glass-ceramics
11. Principles of plastics processing; introduction, thermoplatics, thermosets, elastomers
12. Shaping of plastics; injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion, fibres fabrication
13. Composites processing; classification, ceramics; ceramics
composites, ceramics; plastics composites

Laboratory exercise

13 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Martin Trunec, Dr.

Syllabus

Seminars (except the first and the last) will be carried out in a way of excursions to the labs and to the workplaces where technological equipment will be shown. Real demonstration of methods and techniques will be presented.

1. Introduction to products made of ceramics, glass and plastics. Their use in practice, connection between processing and materials properties; real examples and demonstrations
2. Equipment for powder treatment and evaluation
3. Uniaxial and isostatic powder pressing
4. Suspensions preparation, centrifugation, suspension casting
5. Preparation of thermoplastic suspensions and their evaluation
6. Injection moulding and extrusion of ceramics
7. Binder removal and sintering
8. Cutting, grinding and polishing of ceramics and glass
9. Shaping of laboratory glass, glass apparatus fabrication
10. Injection moulding and extrusion of plastics
11. Design and fabrication of injection moulding moulds for plastics and ceramics
12. Pressing of plastics films and fibre preparation
13. Examination