Application
Applications of this unit of competency include selecting engineering materials and materials tests, sourcing materials data; ensuring appropriate performance and physical standards for aeronautical applications; documenting materials tests, ensured calibration standards; interpreting and documenting materials data sheets as appropriate for mass production, batch production, jobbing shop, and prototyping applications.
Activities may be performed as a member of a design and development or engineering support team.
This unit is used in workplaces that operate under the airworthiness regulatory systems of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1. | Identify classes of materials, based on properties and materials tests relevant to aeronautical engineering | 1.1 | Identify classes of materials, based on properties, required for particular aeronautical engineering applications |
1.2 | Relate material properties to common production and construction methods and processes | ||
1.3 | Identify common characteristics, faults or flaws in materials and components or product in particular engineering applications | ||
1.4 | Identify test methods for materials and components or product in particular engineering applications | ||
1.5 | Identify specific industrial test standards/codes, calibration requirements, regulations and authorities related to selection of materials and products for particular engineering applications | ||
1.6 | Investigate the role of Australia’s national measurement system | ||
2. | Identify and use sources of information on engineering materials, materials tests and test equipment | 2.1 | Identify and use appropriate sources of information on materials |
2.2 | Identify and use appropriate sources of information on methods of testing of properties of materials to ensure suitability for a particular application | ||
2.3 | Identify and use appropriate sources of information on materials, materials tests, test calibration, test certificates, regulations, standards, standards councils/societies/authorities/regulatory bodies | ||
2.4 | Investigate and report on the use of standards and codes | ||
2.5 | Identify and use appropriate sources of information on material safety data sheets (MSDS) | ||
3. | Specify and implement materials for particular aeronautical engineering applications | 3.1 | Select materials for use in given aeronautical engineering applications based on relevant test information |
3.2 | Incorporate materials and components into aeronautical processes in accordance with design functional requirements | ||
4. | Specify and implement methods used to test or obtain the properties of engineering materials | 4.1 | Specify and implement tests of materials to ensure quality, safety or suitability for a range of applications |
4.2 | Ensure traceability of measurement standard | ||
4.3 | Obtain test sheets/certificates for appropriate materials for applications in accordance with organisational procedures and/or codes and regulations | ||
4.4 | Obtain appropriate MSDS for applications in accordance with organisational procedures and/or codes and regulations | ||
5. | Report on and record materials design data and methods and results of materials tests | 5.1 | Report and record materials selections against design functional requirements in accordance with organisational procedures, codes and regulations, including environmental impact and sustainability assessment |
5.2 | Report and record materials tests and test sheets/certificates in accordance with organisational procedures, codes and regulations | ||
5.3 | Ensure appropriate calibration and traceability | ||
5.4 | Report and record appropriate MSDS for applications in accordance with organisational procedures, codes and regulations |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria under the specified conditions of assessment, and must include:
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, obtaining and implementing MSDS
implementing tests correctly for materials and component faults and properties of materials
selecting test methods appropriate to applications
obtaining appropriate test sheets/certificates for applications
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.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include 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 and their relevance to procedures
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
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 reporting and recording procedures.
Assessment Conditions
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 a simulated working environment must be used that reflects realistic workplace situations and conditions.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure its correct interpretation and application.
Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:
identify classes of materials for specific aeronautical engineering situations and specify by material specification
identify testing requirements for selected materials and applicable organisations for the conduct of tests
identify and specify processes required to achieve required material properties
obtain and apply relevant MSDS
ensure that material manufacturing and test records meet regulatory requirements.
Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.
Assessors must satisfy the requirements of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Australian Skills Quality Authority, or its successors).
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | ||
Classes of materials include: | Non-ferrous metals and alloys - copper, aluminium, zinc, lead, tin, titanium and their alloys Ferrous metals - carbon steels, alloy steels and cast irons Non-metallic - composite materials, bearing materials, lubricants, ceramics, polymers and fabrics, adhesives 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, flammability of fabrics | |
Other factors include: | Corrosion and corrosion protection methods Aging of metals and fatigue The effect of manufacturing and construction processes on material properties (e.g. effect of heat treatment on corrosion resistance and fatigue properties, hydrogen embrittlement, shot peening of surfaces) 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 Costs, such as manufacture of material, source of material, and typical applications and possibilities | |
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 includes: | National Measurement Institute (NMI) National Association of Testing Authorities Standards Australia Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand | |
Sources of information include: | Reference texts Manufacturer’s catalogues and industrial magazines Websites Use of phone, email and fax information gathering | |
Standards councils/societies/ authorities/regulatory bodies include: | Australian Standards (AS) American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) US Military Specification (MIL Spec.) American Society of Manufacturing Engineers (ASME) International Standards Organisation (ISO) CASA ADF United States Federal Aviation Authority European Aviation Safety Agency | |
Standards and codes include: | Non-destructive testing (NDT) and mechanical test standards Chemical test standards Electrical test standards Compliance test standards for components | |
Tests of materials include: | Destructive, including tensile, compression, impact, hardness, fatigue, corrosion, stress relaxation and creep, and peel resistance (adhesives) Non-destructive, including hardness, ultrasonics, X-ray, magnetic particle, dye penetrant, eddy current, surface friction, conductivity, heat expansion, photoelastic, heat capacity refractive index and magnetic hysteresis loop | |
Traceability includes: | Test calibrations that can be traced back to the relevant base unit in the relevant measurement system |
Sectors
Competency Field
Engineering science