Introduction to Materials Selection

An introduction to the principles of materials selection for engineering applications.

The next virtual course will take place on Wednesday 12 March 2025.


We are delighted to be working with experienced trainer Clayton Thomas to offer this one-day short course introducing materials selection.

Materials selection is at the heart of the design and development process for engineering components.  This course offers delegates the opportunity to explore the many factors affecting the choice of materials for a broad range of applications and the large selection of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys that are available.  The knowledge gained from the course will enhance discussions between customers and suppliers and gives a better understanding of the properties of materials and how this influences their uses.

This course is one of nine courses in the IOM3 Metallurgy in Practice suite.  If you attend this and two of the other courses in the series, you will receive an IOM3 Certificate in Metallurgy in Practice.  Book all three courses at once to receive a discounted rate.

Who is the course aimed at?

The course is aimed at personnel who work in engineering, production and design and who manufacture or supply engineering components. This includes buyers and salespersons. It will also be a useful introduction to the subject for new starters and graduate engineers.

How is the course structured?

The virtual course covers:

  1. Principles of materials selection
    Material properties
    Cost
    Design and fabrication
  2. Processing and properties
    Heat treatment and alloying
    Mechanical properties – strength, toughness, hardness
    Corrosion resistance
    Product forms – castings and forgings
  3. Ferrous and non-ferrous alloys
    Low alloy and stainless steels
    Commonly used grades and applications
  4. Material selection for specific applications
    Strength and toughness
    Weldability, repair and machinability
    Surface treatments, such as case hardening and nitriding
    Surface coatings, such as plating

By the end of the course what will I have learnt?

  • Understand the key factors affecting materials selection for engineering applications.
  • Appreciate the effects of processing on materials properties.
  • Understand the range of ferrous and non-ferrous alloys available.
  • Awareness of the broader issues affecting materials selection.

How much does the course cost?

The fee for this one day course is £570 +VAT at 20% where applicable.  IOM3 members and subscribers to our Business Partner Programme are entitled to a discount of 10% on the course fee. 

A special rate of £99 is availble to Student & Early Career members of IOM3.


 

 Register to attend the next course

Virtual course using Zoom
9:30am to 4:30pm, Wednesday 12 March 


 


 

Find out more and register to complete the IOM3 Certificate in Metallurgy in Practice

 

 


Your trainer - Dr Clayton Thomas MMet ARSM MICorr

Clayton studied metallurgy at Imperial College and gained a PhD from the University of Sheffield looking at offshore corrosion fatigue.  After working for British Steel Technical as a metallurgical investigator and then corrosion test laboratory manager, he joined Cameron (now called One Subsea) in 1990.  He eventually became senior metallurgist and worked on major topside and offshore projects for operators such as BP, Shell,  AGIP, Total, and Conoco. He also had responsibility for the material selection and corrosion prevention for topside and subsea projects and for the metallurgy and welding of equipment including wellheads, BOPs, flowlines, choke valves, risers, manifolds, Christmas trees and associated items.
Since 2000 Clayton has been director of Lloyd-Thomas Consultancy Ltd, providing metallurgical support and training. He has continued to work in oil and gas as well as other engineering sectors, such as power engineering, aerospace and biomedical, has carried out numerous failures investigations and has acted as an expert witness in litigation cases.
He has run over 250 metallurgy courses on various aspects of metallurgy and has been working with IOM3 since 2020.

 

​Find out more about the other courses in the Metallurgy in Practice Suite...

shutterstock_1780056854 Corrosion.jpg

Introduction to Corrosion & Its Prevention

Focussing on the fundamentals of corrosion and how it can be prevented

Fracture & fatigue failure analysis image

Fracture and Fatigue Failure Analysis

Training for those wishing to gain a deeper understanding of the factors affecting failure modes and an introduction to failure analysis.

Oilfield met small.jpg

Introduction to Oilfield Metallurgy

Specialist metallurgical training for those working in the oil and gas sectors

MechTest image

Introduction to Mechanical Testing

An introduction to the principles of testing and its importance

EngMet image

Engineering Metallurgy

A one-day course exploring the basic concepts of metallurgy


You may also be interested in...

Additive manufacturing.png

Additive Manufacturing Technologies

Find out more

LCA image square

Life Cycle Assessment

One-day course providing an insight into the principles of Life Cycle Assessment and how to interpret a report

Asset management image

Fundamentals of Asset Management

Discover what asset management involves and the business benefits of an effective strategy across all phases of the asset life cycle

shutterstock_755346226 Metal - Wheel rolling mill.jpg

Practical Roll Pass Design

Short course on the classification and design of steel hot-rolled sections