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Chapter 9: Problem 3

Cite three variables that determine the microstructure of an alloy.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The three variables that determine the microstructure of an alloy are composition, temperature, and cooling rate.

Step by step solution

01

Defining Microstructure and Alloy

Microstructure refers to the small-scale structure of a material, which often influences the material's physical and mechanical properties. An alloy is a metallic material made by combining two or more different elements, typically with one being the base metal.
02

Identifying the First Variable - Composition

Composition is a crucial factor in determining the microstructure of an alloy. Different elements within an alloy may cause the formation of various phases, each with their own distinct microstructure. The ratio of different elements also affects the alloy's overall microstructure.
03

Identifying the Second Variable - Temperature

Temperature has a significant effect on the microstructure of an alloy. High temperatures can cause the alloy to become more ductile, allowing for different phases to form or realign. Conversely, lower temperatures can cause the alloy to become more brittle, leading to the formation of different microstructures.
04

Identifying the Third Variable - Cooling Rate

The cooling rate, or the rate at which an alloy is cooled from a high temperature, can greatly impact its microstructure. Rapid cooling can cause different phases to form, such as martensite in steel, which can increase the alloy's hardness. Slower cooling rates may produce coarser microstructures, which can enhance the alloy's ductility. In summary, the three variables that determine the microstructure of an alloy are composition, temperature, and cooling rate. Each variable plays a crucial role in influencing the physical and mechanical properties of the alloy, depending on the specific elements involved and the conditions within which the alloy is processed.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Compute the maximum mass fraction of proeutectoid cementite possible for a hypereutectoid iron-carbon alloy.

A hypothetical A-B alloy of composition 40 \(\mathrm{wt} \% \mathrm{~B}-60 \mathrm{wt} \% \mathrm{~A}\) at some temperature is found to consist of mass fractions of \(0.66\) and \(0.34\) for the \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\) phases, respectively. If the composition of the \(\alpha\) phase is \(13 \mathrm{wt} \%\) B-87 wt \(\% \mathrm{~A}\), what is the composition of the \(\beta\) phase?

Construct the hypothetical phase diagram for metals \(\mathrm{A}\) and \(\mathrm{B}\) between room temperature \(\left(20^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right)\) and \(700^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\), given the following information: \- The melting temperature of metal \(\mathrm{A}\) is \(480^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). \- The maximum solubility of \(B\) in \(A\) is 4 wt \(\%\) B, which occurs at \(420^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). \- The solubility of \(\mathrm{B}\) in \(\mathrm{A}\) at room temperature is 0 wt \(\%\) B. \- One eutectic occurs at \(420^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and \(18 \mathrm{wt} \%\) B-82 wt \(\%\) A. \- A second eutectic occurs at \(475^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and \(42 \mathrm{wt} \%\) B- \(58 \mathrm{wt} \% \mathrm{~A}\) \- The intermetallic compound AB exists at a composition of \(30 \mathrm{wt} \% \mathrm{~B}-70 \mathrm{wt} \% \mathrm{~A}\), and melts congruently at \(525^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). \- The melting temperature of metal B is \(600^{\circ} \mathrm{C} .\) \- The maximum solubility of \(\mathrm{A}\) in \(\mathrm{B}\) is \(13 \mathrm{wt} \% \mathrm{~A}\), which occurs at \(475^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). \- The solubility of \(\mathrm{A}\) in \(\mathrm{B}\) at room temperature is \(3 \mathrm{wt} \% \mathrm{~A}\)

Given here are the solidus and liquidus temperatures for the copper-gold system. Construct the phase diagram for this system and label each region. $$ \begin{array}{ccc} \hline \begin{array}{c} \text { Composition } \\ \text { (wt\% Au) } \end{array} & \begin{array}{c} \text { Solidus } \\ \text { Temperature }\left({ }^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\right) \end{array} & \begin{array}{c} \text { Liquidus } \\ \text { Temperature }\left({ }^{\circ} \boldsymbol{C}\right) \\ \hline 0 \end{array} & 1085 & 1085 \\ \hline 20 & 1019 & 1042 \\ \hline 40 & 972 & 996 \\ \hline 60 & 934 & 946 \\ \hline 80 & 911 & 911 \\ \hline 90 & 928 & 942 \\ \hline 95 & 974 & 984 \\ \hline 100 & 1064 & 1064 \\ \hline \end{array} $$

An intermetallic compound is found in the aluminum-zirconium system that has a composition of \(22.8 \mathrm{wt} \%\) Al-77.2 wt \(\% \mathrm{Zr}\). Specify the formula for this compound.
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