Diploma in AM Mechanical Properties and Reliability
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in mechanical properties and reliability of additive manufacturing (AM). 8 modules covering microstructure, static testing, fatigue, fracture mechanics, defect characterisation, statistical allowables and structural reliability under ASTM E8/E8M, ASTM E466 and ASTM E399, with Minitab and an assigned technical tutor.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the relationship between process, microstructure and properties in additive manufacturing.
Carry out standardised mechanical tests on additive materials.
Analyse anisotropy and the influence of build position.
Assess fatigue behaviour and the influence of defects.
Apply fracture mechanics to additive parts.
Calculate design allowables using statistical methods.
Predict the structural reliability of printed components.
Who it's for
- Materials engineers.
- Mechanical testing engineers.
- Structural reliability engineers.
- Certification engineers.
- Additive manufacturing researchers.
- Structural analysis engineers.
- Engineering or science graduates looking to move into aerospace.
What you'll work with
- ASTM E8/E8M (tension testing of metallic materials)
- ASTM E466 (constant-amplitude fatigue testing)
- ASTM E399 (plane-strain fracture toughness)
- ISO/ASTM 52909 (orientation and location dependence of mechanical properties in PBF)
- ASTM F3122 (guide for evaluating mechanical properties of additively manufactured metals)
- ASTM E1441 (computed tomography)
- MMPDS (metallic materials properties development and standardisation)
- Minitab
- nCode DesignLife
- VGSTUDIO MAX
- ANSYS Mechanical
- Python (SciPy)
8 modules
1.1Solidification in additive manufacturing1.2Textures and columnar grains1.3Phases in titanium and steels1.4Effect of heat treatments1.5Effect of HIP1.6Residual stresses1.7Surface roughness1.8Typical defects1.9Process-property relationship1.10Case study: microstructure analysis of a specimen
2.1Tensile testing according to ASTM E82.2Compression2.3Hardness2.4Bend tests2.5Orientation and location according to ISO/ASTM 529092.6Witness specimens2.7Specimen size effect2.8Extensometry and digital image correlation2.9Test reports2.10Lab: tensile testing in different orientations
3.1High- and low-cycle fatigue3.2Testing according to ASTM E4663.3S-N curves3.4Influence of the surface3.5Influence of porosity3.6Fatigue in lattice structures3.7Effect of machining3.8Fatigue limit and very-high-cycle fatigue3.9Life prediction3.10Practical: building an S-N curve
4.1Fracture toughness according to ASTM E3994.2Fatigue crack growth4.3Defects as initial cracks4.4Damage tolerance4.5Fractographic analysis4.6Fracture in joints and transition zones4.7Kitagawa-Takahashi methods4.8Inspection and critical defect size4.9Structural integrity4.10Lab: fractography of broken specimens
5.1Computed tomography according to ASTM E14415.2Porosity analysis5.3Defect size distribution5.4Surface defects5.5Metallography5.6Correlation between defects and properties5.7Probability of detection5.8Acceptance criteria5.9In-situ monitoring5.10Practical: porosity analysis by tomography
6.1Property variability6.2Statistical distributions6.3A- and B-basis values6.4MMPDS methodology6.5Analysis of variance between batches and machines6.6Sample size6.7Process equivalence6.8Materials databases6.9Test uncertainty6.10Lab: calculation of statistical allowables
7.1Probabilistic failure analysis7.2FORM and SORM methods7.3Monte Carlo in structural reliability7.4Probabilistic fatigue life models7.5Safety factors7.6Certification of critical parts7.7Part digital twin7.8In-service monitoring7.9Failure cases7.10Case study: reliability analysis of a printed bracket
8.1Selection of material and part8.2Test plan8.3Static tests8.4Fatigue tests8.5Defect characterisation8.6Statistical analysis8.7Reliability assessment8.8Conclusions8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with your tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Minitab, nCode DesignLife, VGSTUDIO MAX, ANSYS Mechanical and Python (SciPy), in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: tensile testing in different orientations, fatigue testing with defects detected by tomography and the calculation of statistical allowables. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final project.
Standards covered: ASTM E8/E8M, ASTM E466, ASTM E399, ISO/ASTM 52909, ASTM F3122, ASTM E1441, MMPDS.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with Minitab, nCode DesignLife, VGSTUDIO MAX, ANSYS Mechanical and Python (SciPy), using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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