Is it possible to have a copper-nickel alloy that, at equilibrium, consists of a liquid phase of composition \(20 \mathrm{wt} \% \mathrm{Ni}-80 \mathrm{wt} \% \mathrm{Cu}\) and also an \(\alpha\) phase of composition \(37 \mathrm{wt} \%\) Ni-63 \(\mathrm{wt} \% \mathrm{Cu}\) ? If so, what will be the approximate temperature of the alloy? If this is not possible, explain why.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Explain your answer. Answer: No, it is not possible to have a copper-nickel alloy with a liquid phase of composition 20 wt% Ni-80 wt% Cu and an alpha phase of composition 37 wt% Ni-63 wt% Cu in equilibrium. This is because there is no temperature at which both phases can coexist with the given compositions according to the phase diagram.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the composition of the liquid and alpha phases

According to the given information, we have a liquid phase with 20 wt% Ni-80 wt% Cu and an alpha phase with 37 wt% Ni-63 wt% Cu.
02

Refer to Copper-Nickel phase diagram

Study the Copper-Nickel phase diagram at https://bit.ly/2wilFlt. Find if there exists a temperature at which both liquid and alpha phases coexist with the same weight percentage of Copper and Nickel.
03

Analyze the phase diagram

Upon analyzing the Copper-Nickel phase diagram, notice that we have a phase boundary where the liquid phase and alpha phase coexist in equilibrium. This boundary is also known as the "liquidus" line. However, we must determine if the given compositions can coexist at some point along this line.
04

Find the intersection point

Trace the horizontal line representing 20 wt% Ni in the phase diagram. Similarly, trace the horizontal line for 37 wt% Ni. Find if the two lines intersect along the liquidus line. If they do, both phases can coexist in equilibrium at that temperature.
05

Determine the temperature

Observing the phase diagram, we can see that the two lines do not intersect along the liquidus line. Thus, it is not possible for both phases with the given compositions to coexist in equilibrium at the same temperature. In conclusion, it is not possible to have a copper-nickel alloy with a liquid phase of composition 20 wt% Ni-80 wt% Cu and an alpha phase of composition 37 wt% Ni-63 wt% Cu in equilibrium. This is because there is no temperature at which both phases can coexist with the given compositions according to the phase diagram.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The room-temperature tensile strengths of pure lead and pure tin are \(16.8 \mathrm{MPa}\) and \(14.5\) \(\mathrm{MPa}\), respectively. (a) Make a schematic graph of the roomtemperature tensile strength versus composition for all compositions between pure lead and pure tin. (Hint: you may want to consult Sections \(9.10\) and 9.11, as well as Equation \(9.24\) in Problem 9.64.) (b) On this same graph schematically plot tensile strength versus composition at \(150^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). (c) Explain the shapes of these two curves, as well as any differences between them.

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What is the principal difference between congruent and incongruent phase transformations?

Cite three variables that determine the microstructure of an alloy.

Given here are the solidus and liquidus temperatures for the germanium-silicon system. Construct the phase diagram for this system and label each region. $$ \begin{array}{ccc} \hline \begin{array}{c} \text { Composition } \\ (\boldsymbol{w t} \% \text { Si) } \end{array} & \begin{array}{c} \text { Solidus } \\ \text { Temperature }\left({ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right) \end{array} & \begin{array}{c} \text { Liquidus } \\ \text { Temperature }\left({ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right) \end{array} \\ \hline 0 & 938 & 938 \\ 10 & 1005 & 1147 \\ 20 & 1065 & 1226 \\ 30 & 1123 & 1278 \\ 40 & 1178 & 1315 \\ 50 & 1232 & 1346 \\ 60 & 1282 & 1367 \\ 70 & 1326 & 1385 \\ 80 & 1359 & 1397 \\ 90 & 1390 & 1408 \\ 100 & 1414 & 1414 \\ \hline \end{array} $$

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