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Session 1726 The Use of Complex, but Inexpensive, Thermo-Mechanical Processing to Illustrate a Range of Engineering Principles in an Integrated and Synergistic Manner

Dan Walsh, Dave Gibbs California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Abstract The events that occur in metallic materials heated to high temperatures in the dynamic processing environment associated with an arc or beam welding operation can be used to illustrate a broad range of fundamental scientific and engineering concepts in a holistic manner. Moreover, the process and resultant weld are of inherent interest to students. The specific application studied in this laboratory is the addition of small amounts of nitrogen to alter microstructure in the weld deposit. Understanding the process requires the integrated use of thermodynamics, kinetics, physics, chemistry, solidification, heat and mass transfer, phase stability and materials engineering.

Few laboratory experiences allow engineers to explore the performance of real engineering materials at homologous temperatures greater than 0.8. Fewer still enable students to relate material performance at these temperatures to the microstructure of the material. Moreover, the relationship of material properties at lower temperatures are rarely graphically and directly connected to the conditioning of a material at higher temperatures. This paper describes the conception and execution of a laboratory to improve undergraduate students understanding of complex material behaviors. In addition it includes portions which enable the student to quantify phenomena often discussed only in a qualitative fashion. Laboratory procedure for the experiment is described in detail. The laboratory presents theory and application in natural fashion, linked and mutually supportive. The paper discusses the exceptionally positive impact that this immediacy has on student learning.

Introduction There is renewed emphasis on laboratory experience and project based learning in undergraduate engineering education, coupled with widespread belief that interdisciplinary exposure is critical to the development of the prototype engineer for the 21st Century. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, (ABET), has asserted as much in their newest criteria for engineering programs. Emphasis on a more holistic approach to engineering education has gained widespread acceptance. A new “premise” is evolving in education, simply stated this assertion could be phrased “It is much better to learn by doing something, even in a very controlled environment, than to learn by simply talking about something or talking about doing something, even in a very free and open environment. ” Furthermore, this “postulate” has a corollary associated with it – that the need to “learn by doing” becomes more critical as students progress through the curriculum, as does the need for interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference and Exposition Copyright © 2005, American Society for Engineering Education

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Walsh, D., & Gibbs, D. (2005, June), The Use Of Complex, But Inexpensive, Thermo Mechanical Processing To Illustrate A Range Of Engineering Principles In An Integrated And Synergistic Manner Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--14420