Degradation processes of structural materials

The lecture introduces aspirants to the methods of evaluating the degradation processes of structural materials. Attention is mainly devoted to the analysis of the microstructural conditions of the initiation of brittle and ductile fracture, fatigue failure, creep, corrosion damage, corrosion cracking and basic wear mechanisms of functional surfaces. This analysis is followed by an explanation of the effect of temperature, method of loading and parameters of the surrounding environment on the emergence of a limit state completed by fracture and loss of the basic function of the material to transmit voltage
deformation field. The evaluation methods of these degradation processes are applied both to metals and to ceramic materials, polymers and basic types of composites. In the lecture, special attention is paid to clarifying the influence of the size and shape of the structural part on the emergence of the limit state and the methods of evaluating the resistance of structural parts under the influence of the negative effects of degradation processes. The logical conclusion of the lecture is the presentation of methods for rational estimation of the degree of construction safety both at the stage of its design and also during operational decision-making in operational practice.