Tel: + 44 0114 2356111; Mobile + 44 07963 099930; e-mail: philip@philipbralsford.co.uk
This is a fast-track Materials Science & Engineering course which is unrivalled in the market and provides candidates with comprehensive knowledge, skills & understanding on the structure, properties, applications, manufacture, inspection & testing of engineering materials & advanced materials, including metallic materials (ferrous & non-ferrous metals & alloys), as well as non-metallic & advanced materials including ceramics, carbons, polymers and composites.
The course is suitable for candidates at all levels, including those new to engineering materials, as no specific qualification entry requirements are required.
The course has been developed by academic & industry experts which ensures that the content is both academically rigorous and practically relevant.
You don’t need a university degree to build a successful career in Materials Science & Engineering. You need practical, industry-led training — and that’s exactly what we deliver. You will also obtain industry-recognised skills without taking on £50k+ of debt. The course can also be completed in weeks or months, not years.
Candidates also receive a comprehensive, full-colour Training Handbook that serves as both a course guide and a valuable reference tool after completion of the course.
The course is structured as follows:
Chapter 1: Physical Metallurgy & Crystalline Structure of Metals & Alloys
Focuses on physical metallurgy and metal structure, including crystals, grain size, dislocations, creep, phase diagrams, heat treatment and microstructure analysis—the scientific foundation for how metals behave.
Chapter 2: Mechanical Properties & their Measurement
Covers mechanical properties and testing, such as tensile, impact, hardness, fracture toughness, creep and certification methods used to measure material performance.
Chapter 3: Inspection: Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Techniques
Summarizes major non-destructive testing (NDT) methods used to inspect metals without damaging them, including radiographic, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, dye penetrant and eddy current testing.
Chapter 4: Steelmaking & Steel Manufacturing Processes
Explains how steel is made, from primary and secondary steelmaking through casting, solidification, forming, machining, powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing and protection treatments.
Chapter 5: Metallurgy of Steel
Covers steel characteristics, chemical composition effects and classifications.
Includes heat treatment and hardenability concepts (e.g., quenching, tempering, Jominy testing, embrittlement).
Explores different steel types for specific applications (e.g., high‑strength, creep-resistant, cryogenic, automotive).
Chapter 6: Metallurgy of Stainless Steel
Focuses on corrosion behaviour and stainless steel classifications.
Covers major stainless families (austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, duplex, precipitation hardening).
Chapter 7: Metallurgy of Cast Iron
Describes types of cast iron and their properties.
Includes heat treatment routes and microstructural variations (e.g., ductile, grey, white, malleable irons).
Chapter 8: Nickel & Its Alloys
Highlights corrosion-resistant and high‑temperature nickel alloys.
Introduces superalloys and applications in extreme environments.
Chapter 9: Aluminium & Its Alloys
Differentiates heat-treatable vs non-heat-treatable alloys.
Covers wrought and cast aluminium systems.
Chapter 10: Titanium & Its Alloys
Explains alpha, alpha-beta, and beta alloy classes.
Includes advanced titanium aluminides.
Chapter 11: Copper & Its Alloys
Covers key copper alloy groups (brasses, bronzes, Cu‑Ni, Be‑Cu).
Focuses on general properties and applications.
Chapter 12: Magnesium Alloys
Outlines basic characteristics and classification standards.
Chapter 13: Zirconium Alloys
Describes commercial and nuclear‑grade alloys.
Chapter 14: Advanced Alloys
Introduces cobalt alloys, refractory metals, and high entropy alloys.
Highlights specialised uses (e.g., superalloys, medical, high‑temperature applications).
Chapter 15: Metal Joining (Welding)
Defines welding and major joining approaches.
Covers key welding processes (arc welding methods and solid‑state techniques like friction stir welding).
Chapter 16 — Compounds; Ionic & Covalent Bonding
A concise introduction to chemical bonding, focusing on ionic and covalent structures and their relevance to material behaviour.
Chapter 17 — Non‑Metallic Materials: Ceramics
Covers structural clay products, glasses, refractories and abrasives, explaining their bonding, brittleness and high‑temperature performance.
Chapter 18 — Non‑Metallic Materials: Carbons
Reviews carbon allotropes including diamond, graphite, fullerenes, graphene and nanotubes, highlighting their unique mechanical and electrical properties.
Chapter 19 — Non‑Metallic Materials: Polymers
Explains polymer chemistry, molecular structure, thermoplastics vs thermosets, tensile behaviour, and major polymer groups such as plastics, elastomers, aramids and adhesives.
Chapter 20 — Non‑Metallic Materials: Composites
A detailed overview of composite classifications, including particle‑reinforced, fibre‑reinforced, polymer‑matrix, metal‑matrix, ceramic‑matrix, laminar and nanocomposites. Covers fibre orientation, anisotropy, modulus calculations, fabrication methods, mechanical testing and joining.
The knowledge & skills gained on the course are valuable across a wide range of engineering materials industry sectors, including:
🔺 AEROSPACE
🔺 AUTOMOTIVE
🔺 OIL & GAS
🔺CHEMICAL
🔺POWER GENERATION, INCLUDING NUCLEAR
🔺ENGINEERING
🔺CONSTRUCTION
🔺FOOD & DRINK
🔺DEFENCE
BENEFITS OF OUR TRAINING
Career Advancement: The training is designed to enhance candidates' career prospects by increasing their technical knowledge, skills, and understanding.
No Prior Knowledge Required: The course is suitable for candidates at all levels, including those new to materials science & engineering, as no specific qualification entry requirements are required. The course material is clear & easy to follow with reference to helpful U-Tube videos.
Industry-Relevant: Developed by academic & industry experts ensures that the content is both academically rigorous and practically relevant.
Accredited Certifications: Our courses have accreditation from highly experienced, professionally accredited Chartered Engineers (CEng), Materials Engineers, Metallurgists (MIMMM) & Welding Technologists (MWeldI), with decades of industry experience working for leading engineering companies such as British Steel, Sheffield Forgemasters & Corus.
Proven Success: Our training has empowered professionals from leading organisations & professional bodies including Arcelor Mittal, Bourne Steel, J & D Pierce Contracts Ltd, UKRI - Science & Technologies Facilities Council, TAQA Bratani, Moog Aircraft Group, Millar Callaghan Engineering Services Ltd, Murphy Group, Professional Lifting Services Ltd, Mclaren Automotive, Mueller Europe, WQiC, Harold Newsome Ltd, William Haley Engineering Ltd, RWE Generation UK PLC, TEi Ltd, The Institute of Cast Metal Engineers (ICME), Sulzer and The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC.)
Comprehensive Curriculum: This is a comprehensive course.
Excellent Feedback: Our courses have received excellent feedback from candidates who have completed them, highlighting their effectiveness in developing knowledge, skills and understanding. To review their comments, please follow the link.
FLEXIBLE SELF STUDY COURSE FOR CANDIDATES
Start & learn when it suits you — flexible learning for job‑ready Materials Science & Engineering knowledge & skills!
With our flexible, self study courses, candidates can start and progress through the training at anytime, anywhere & at their own pace. No need to wait for course dates for classroom-based or online training courses and no need to pay travelling expenses & to spend time away paying for hotels & other living expenses.
Total estimated Self Study time required to complete the course is 85 Hours.
All course materials would be posted & e-mailed to the candidate.
Candidates also receive a comprehensive, full-colour Training Handbook that serves as both a course guide and a valuable reference tool after completion of the course.
Candidates also have the support of our Course Tutor as they progress through the course.
Candidates are assessed on the course by continuous assessment.
Course Fees: £1950 per person inclusive of a full-colour Training Handbook & all Assessment & Certification fees.
To make a booking, please follow the link to download & complete a booking form.
COURSE PACKAGE FOR TRAINING PROVIDERS
Are you a training provider looking to grow your technical training course offerings quickly, professionally and with proven industry impact?
If so, we offer for purchase this course package, which forms part of our extensive range of course packages, which include all the course materials required to enable training providers, further & higher educational institutions and employers, deliver industry-leading technical training courses.
Course materials you will receive for this course package:
Course Presentation: (in Microsoft PowerPoint format.) The presentation also provides the basis for producing a Training Handbook for the course.
Covers & Contents: For use when producing a Training Handbook.
Course Assessments & Model Answers. Including a marking scheme.
All course materials are written in English and are supplied in ‘Microsoft PowerPoint', 'Microsoft Word' or ‘Adobe Acrobat pdf' format.
All course materials would be supplied without any branding and are editable to enable you to apply your own company name / logos / branding.
Total estimated time to deliver the training 85 hours.
For a quotation to purchase the course package, please Contact Us.