The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to select and test aeronautical engineering materials.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently perform all elements of the unit as specified by the criteria, including required knowledge, and be capable of applying the competency in new and different situations and contexts.

Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency. The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required. The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, that is, the candidate is not in productive work, then an appropriate simulation must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team. The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate.

Method of assessment

This unit could be assessed in conjunction with any other units addressing the safety, quality, communication, materials handling, recording and reporting associated with selecting and testing aeronautical engineering materials or other units requiring the exercise of the skills and knowledge covered by this unit.

Guidance information for assessment

Required skills

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

selecting class of materials for an application based on comparison of properties for a significant range of materials classes

selecting class of materials for an application suitable to production and construction methods and processes

identifying, overcoming or compensating for common characteristics, faults or flaws in materials or product

identifying test methods for materials and components, specific industrial test standards and regulations for particular engineering applications

identifying test methods for faults or flaws in materials and components or product

selecting materials following an extensive search of appropriate sources of information, including manufacturer's catalogues and websites

selecting appropriate tests from a range of possible tests, following an extensive search of appropriate sources of information, including manufacturer's catalogues and websites

satisfying applicable standards and regulations for materials and components

sourcing materials test certificates and using the material properties information from them

sourcing and implementing MSDS

implementing tests correctly for materials and component faults and properties of materials

selecting testing methods appropriate to applications

obtaining appropriate test sheets/certificates for applications

obtaining appropriate MSDS for application

completing reports, records and design documentation

addressing environmental impact and sustainability issues

reporting, recording and filing test reports and documentation

implementing materials tests and test sheets/certificates, test calibration and traceability

Required knowledge

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge of:

properties of materials classes

the effect of material properties on production and construction methods and processes

the effect of characteristics, faults or flaws in materials on product and processes

test methods for materials and components, specific industrial test standards, regulations and authorities related to particular engineering applications

test methods for faults or flaws in materials and components or product

methods of accessing and using alternative information sources

test procedures and typical applications for tests

sources and uses of information on materials, materials tests, test certificates, regulations, standards, regulatory bodies and industrial authorities

methods of accessing MSDS

identification of materials for an application based on comparison of properties of materials

identification of test for an application based on an understanding of its ability to measure specific material or product properties

significance of test sheets/certificates to applications

the need for obtaining and filing test sheets/certificates

significance of MSDSs and relevance of procedures

materials selections in relation to design functional requirements

environmental impact and sustainability assessment

significance of test reports and documentation to applications

significance of reporting and recording procedures

significance of materials tests and test sheets/certificates, test calibration and traceability

significance of MSDS to applications

significance of reporting and recording procedures

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Classes of materials, based on properties

Classes of materials include:

non-ferrous metals and alloys (copper, aluminium, zinc, lead, tin and their alloys), ferrous metals (carbon steels, alloy steels and cast irons), non-metallic composite materials, bearing materials, lubricants, non-metals (timber, ceramics, polymers and fabrics, adhesives and electrical insulation materials), thermal conductors and insulators, electrical conductors, semiconductors and insulators

Properties of materials include:

strength, elasticity, plasticity, malleability, toughness, brittleness, fatigue endurance, mouldability, weldability, machinability, formability, resistance to creep and stress relaxation, resistance to degradation (e.g. use of plastic fillers to enhance UV resistance), adhesion, electrical, magnetic, thermal, chemical and optical, material structure and effect on properties, and flammability of fabrics

Other factors include:

corrosion and corrosion protection methods.

aging of metals

the effect of manufacturing and construction processes on material properties.

the effect of property enhancement on design (e.g. adhesives plus sintering replacing some forging and machining of gears on shafts)

lay-up methods for composite structures.

Cost includes:

manufacture of material and source of material,typical applications and possibilities

Aeronautical engineering

Aeronautical engineering refers to:

the engineering discipline concerned with the conceptual development, research, design, manufacture, implementation, installation, commissioning and maintenance of aerospace mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, fuel and fire products, processes, systems or services for civil and military applications

Australia's national measurement system

Australia's national measurement systems includes:

National Standards Commission (legal metrology)

Commonwealth Scientific and Research Organisation (physical standards)

National Association of Testing Authorities, Aust. (Laboratory accreditation)

Standards Australia International Ltd (AS standards specifications)

Standards councils/ societies/ authorities/regulatory bodies

Standards councils/societies/authorities/regulatory bodies include:

Australian Standards Council

ASTM

MIL Spec

ASME

ISO

Regulatory bodies include:

CASA

ADF

United States Federal Aviation Authority,

European Joint Aviation Authority

Standards and codes

Standards and codes include:

NDT and mechanical test standards

chemical test standards

electrical test standards

compliance test standards for components

Tests of materials

Tests of materials include:

destructive, including tensile, compression, impact, hardness, fatigue, corrosion, stress relaxation and creep, and peel resistance (adhesives)

mon-destructive, including hardness, ultrasonics, X-ray, dye penetrant, eddy current, surface friction, conductivity, heat expansion, photoelastic, heat capacity refractive index, magnetic hysteresis loop

Traceability

Traceability ensures test calibrations can be traced back to the relevant base unit in the relevant measurement system