The course aims at describing the main corrosion problems of metals working in natural environment, as soil, seawater and atmosphere, in industrial plants and in reinforced concrete structures. The student will also become familiar with the main applications of fine ceramics, as oxides, carbides and nitrides, and will know the ceramics toughening mechanisms employed in ceramic matrix composites. The durability of ceramics at high T will be analysed. The student will be able to make a corrosion assessment on metallic materials and durability assessment on ceramic ones, evaluating the maximum expected corrosion rate and making a proper material selection for a specific application as a function the environmental aggressiveness and operation condition.

Lectures, numerical exercises and practical examples will allow the student to:

- define, for each environment, the parameters necessary to assess metals corrosion, concrete and ceramics degradation

- know the forms of corrosion and degradation of metals, concrete and ceramics in contact with a specific environment 

- discuss the possible cause of corrosion and degradation, estimating the corrosion rate

- discuss and select a proper metal/material or a proper protection technique for a specific application

- know the cathodic protection systems and select a proper plant for a real structure

- know the industrial applications of fine ceramics

- define the toughening mechanisms of fine ceramics

Topics.

The course integrates aspects related to the selection and durability of metallic, cementitious and ceramic materials, which represent the majority of construction materials. Each module will address the main properties of these classes of materials with particular reference to their application and degradation in real working conditions. Theoretical aspects will be first addressed, then developed in the analysis of engineering application cases.

For more information on the specific topics of the two modules, please refer to the corresponding pages.

Organization.

The course is taught in two emi-semesters: the first deals with corrosion of metals in natural environments and industrial plants (module “corrosion engineering”); the second deals with durability of concrete structures and fine ceramic applications and degradation (module “cementitious and ceramic materials engineering”).

The module "Corrosion engineering" is taught in the first emi-semester (approximately Sept - Oct).

The module "Cementitious and ceramic materials engineering" is taught in the second emi-semester (approximately Nov - Dec).

It is possible to attend the two modules (5 CFU each) separately, or just one of the two in the respective half semester.

Basic knowledge of principles of metal corrosion, metallurgy, electrotechnics, concrete technology and ceramic materials properties.

The evaluation of the integrated course (10 cfu) will be carried out by a written exam.

During the semester, two intermediate written exams are scheduled. The first intermediate written exam will be scheduled at the end of the emi-semester of lessons, during the week of lesson suspension according to the official academic calendar. The second intermediate written exam will be scheduled at the end of the semester, on a date prior to the first official exam day. The first intermediate is for “corrosion engineering” module only. The second intermediate is for “cementitious and ceramic materials” module only.

The student can attend the second intermediate test only if the first part is passed with a score of at least 16/30. The full exam is passed if the average score is greater than or equal to 18/30.

The written exams of the two modules consist each one of two open questions and two numerical exercises. Aim of the written exam is to verify the student understanding of the corrosion and degradation issues in real working conditions and to verify if the student is able to apply such knowledge to make a proper corrosion and degradation assessment, evaluating the residual service life or applying any repair techniques to restore safe working condition. The student who did not take part at the intermediate tests, or did not obtain a score greater than or equal to 18/30, or the student who wants to reject the final proposed score, will have to repeat both modules during the official exam days. It is possible to take the two modules in different official exam days.

Only if already sufficient (>18/30), the student can improve the final score with an oral exam (optional).The oral exam consists of questions on both modules, independently on single scores obtained in the modules, and it will be meant to assess the capability of the student to apply the theoretical and practical concepts learned to real cases of evaluation of possible degradation mechanisms and prevention or repair strategies. With the oral, a maximum increase of 3 points can be obtained. If the oral is not satisfactory, the score can be reduced.

Due volume