GATE Syllabus For Material Science 2012

Optional Section

Structure

Atomic structure and bonding in materials. Crystal structure of materials, crystal systems, unit cells and space lattices, determination of structures of simple crystals by x-ray diffraction, miller indices of planes and directions, packing geometry in metallic, ionic and covalent solids. Concept of amorphous, single and polycrystalline structures and their effect on properties of materials. Crystal growth techniques. Imperfections in crystalline solids and their role in influencing various properties.

Diffusion

Fick's laws and application of diffusion in sintering, doping of semiconductors and surface hardening of metals.

Metals and Alloys

Solid solutions, solubility limit, phase rule, binary phase diagrams, intermediate phases, intermetallic compounds, iron-iron carbide phase diagram, heat treatment of steels, cold, hot working of metals, recovery, recrystallization and grain growth. Microstrcture, properties and applications of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys.

Ceramics

Structure, properties, processing and applications of traditional and advanced ceramics.

Polymers

Classification, polymerization, structure and properties, additives for polymer products, processing and applications.

Composites

Properties and applications of various composites.

Advanced Materials and Tools

Smart materials, exhibiting ferroelectric, piezoelectric, optoelectric, semiconducting behavior, lasers and optical fibers, photoconductivity and superconductivity, nanomaterials , synthesis, properties and applications, biomaterials, superalloys, shape memory alloys. Materials characterization techniques such as, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry.

Mechanical Properties

Stress-strain diagrams of metallic, ceramic and polymeric materials, modulus of elasticity, yield strength, tensile strength, toughness, elongation, plastic deformation, viscoelasticity, hardness, impact strength, creep, fatigue, ductile and brittle fracture.

Thermal Properties

Heat capacity, thermal conductivity, thermal expansion of materials.

Electronic Properties

Concept of energy band diagram for materials - conductors, semiconductors and insulators, electrical conductivity  effect of temperature on conductility, intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, dielectric properties.

Optical Properties

Reflection, refraction, absorption and transmission of electromagnetic radiation in solids.

Magnetic Properties

Origin of magnetism in metallic and ceramic materials, paramagnetism, diamagnetism, antiferro magnetism, ferromagnetism, ferrimagnetism, magnetic hysterisis.

Environmental Degradation

Corrosion and oxidation of materials, prevention.