ME 533Non-Metallic and Composite Materials
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Engineering
- Subject
- Mechanical Engineering
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course is intended to provide an advanced treatment of the structure, properties, and processing of non-metallic and composite materials based on polymers, metals, and ceramics. The structure and properties of polymers and ceramics in bulk form and as matrices and reinforcements in composites will be covered. Processing methods for non-metallics and composites (example extrusion, injection molding, etc.) will be considered. The geometrical arrangement of fibres within laminae and their influences on elastic and strength properties of composites will be described based on suitable micromechanical models. The role of the matrix and fibre/matrix interface in determining composite properties will be described.
Prerequisites
- Complete all of the following
- Must have completed the following:
- ME230 - Control of Properties of Materials (0.50)
- Students must be in level 4A or higher
- Enrolled in H-Mechanical Engineering
- Must have completed the following:
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 4827 | 0 / 40 | M 11:30–12:20 W 10:30–12:20 |
| LEC 701 | 1953 | 29 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
80% liked it55% easy70% useful
From 5 ratings and 3 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
This course helped me solidify a few concepts I realized I hadn't really grasped from first and second year. Very well-explained, wasn't hard at all honestly, and the content was super helpful for interviews (mech design).
Apr 2024 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Got to learn about polymers and composites, something that isn't thought about too much in ME. Found that even though I didn't have a good idea on these topics from first/second year, the course was not too intimidating. I watched all the lectures (covid) and went back on the slides I annotated and made detailed notes. The evaluations have gone well so far. I am interested in this topic and am quite enjoying my time.
Mar 2022 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Another potentially useful course ruined by Charles Kwan. I'm writing this in 4B and I've had Charles Kwan 3 times prior to this. Completely disorganized unclear lecture slides and notes. Unreasonably difficult assignments and exams. A common theme with this prof. Take this course ONLY if Charles Kwan isn't teaching it.
Mar 2020 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
3 posts and comments in 3 threads mention ME 533, January 2017 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Winter 2019
4B Mech | Combustion VS. Air Pollution VS. Non Metallic composite materials 4 points, 5 comments
u/fizo4: “… ME 557 - Combustion 1 ME 571 - Air Pollution ME 533 - Non metallic composite materials”
Winter 2018
need some advise on 4th year mech courses 6 points, 10 comments
u/shaysura: “… and Vibrations ME 559 - Finite Element Methods ME 436 - Welding & Joining Processes ME 533 - Non-metallic and Composite Materials ME 452 - Energy Transfer in Buildings ME 456 - Heat Transfer 2 ME 459 - Energy Conversion ME 557 - Combustion ME 567 - Fire Safety …”
Winter 2017
ME533 by Robert Varin and ME531 by Lihua Liao? 1 point, 0 comments
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
- Quest Class SearchWhere you enrol
- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
- WClassesPast sections back to 2004, and who taught them