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This NDT Resource Center provides educational materials intended primarily for college students. The materials are intended to to aid in conceptual learning, to re-enforce materials provided at the student's school, and to serve as reference materials and working tools. Resource topics include...

This lesson plan introduces students to the properties of metals using the example of a paper clip. A paper clip will fail after being bent many times, illustrating the concept of "fatigue." The fatigue properties of different materials will be compared and observed. The main goal of the lesson is...

This experiment will demonstrate the effects of changes in the crystal structure of metals, particularly in high carbon steels and in the shape memory alloy Nitinol. Students will learn the effects of phase changes on shape in Nitinol and crystal structure changes on metal properties. They will also...

This learning activity will be helpful for students learning about plastic deformation. Specifically, the exercise looks at plastic deformation in polyethylene, which is found in plastic sheets, bags and other common items. Students will participate in plastic deformation of a polymer, observe "...

The Materials Science and Technology Teacher's Workshop (MAST) provides this lesson plan for students learning about polymers. The class will observe the physical properties of various plastics for rigidity, color, density and texture. The objective of the experiment is "to test and compare the...

This learning activity tests the strength of fibers and fabrics: specifically, threads, string and yarn made from a variety of materials. The experiment will demonstrate the particular properties of different fibers and fabrics and the differences between natural and synthetic fibers. This activity...

This learning activity shows how "differences in composition can drastically affect the properties of balls that look identical." Balls that appear the same but are composed of different materials will be bounced. Since they are made of different materials, students will observe a difference in the...

This learning module will introduce students to ISO 14001, which is a standard which serves as a framework assisting organizations in creating their own environmental management system. Students will learn how product drawing relates to implementing this standard, and consider how recycled materials...

In this laboratory exercise, students will be introduced to the oxidation / corrosion of iron from two different sources (flame and water). From the examination of corrosion from multiple sources, students will be able to compare and contrast the effects each has on the iron samples. Students will...

This learning activity will provide an opportunity for students to develop their critical thinking and research skills in chemistry by asking them to investigate corrosion rates of metals and draw conclusions from their experiments. Students will measure corrosion rates in specific alloys and apply...