MSE 230

HW6 (due 02/25, 02/26)

Spring 2010

1. Refer to the Cu-Zn phase diagram, Fig. 9.19. Sketch or trace and label the relevant portion of the phase diagram to show the basis for your answers to the following questions: (a) At 400C, what is the solubility of Zn in Cu? If slightly more Zn is added, name the new phase that forms and give its composition. (b) At 400C, what is the solubility of Cu in Zn? If slightly more Cu is added, name the new phase that forms and give its composition. (c) When heating cartridge brass (Cu-30 wt.% Zn), at what temperature does melting begin? At what temperature does it become completely molten? What is the freezing range of this alloy? 2. Refer to the Cu-Ag phase diagram, Fig. 9.7. For an alloy composition of 50 wt.% Ag: (a) Determine the (1) phases, (2) phase compositions (wt.% Ag), and (3) phase proportions (wt. fraction of phases) at equilibrium at each of the following temperatures: 1000C, 800C, and 600C. (b) Determine, as in part (a), the phases, phase compositions, and phase proportions present at equilibrium just above 779C and just below 779C, the eutectic temperature. (c) Write the three-phase reaction, including phase compositions, that occurs when the alloy is slowly cooled through 779C. (d) Just below 779C, what fraction of the total phase in the alloy is primary (i.e., formed above 779C) and what fraction of it is eutectic (i.e., formed below 779C, together with , in the eutectic reaction)? 3. Consider an alloy of Fe containing 0.20 wt.% C (approximately equivalent to 1020 steel). (a) Calculate the proportions of primary (proeutectoid) ferrite and pearlite in this steel. Note that the proportion (wt. fraction) of pearlite is always equal to the proportion of austenite from which it forms (i.e., -Fe containing 0.76 wt.% C). (b) Sketch and label this microstructure showing approximately the proportions of the ferrite and pearlite. Neglect the small density differences, so that wt% = vol% = area% in your 2-D representation (sketch). Use hatching to distinguish pearlite from proeutectoid ferrite regions. 4. An Fe-C alloy (steel) cooled slowly to just below 727C contains 15 wt.% of primary (proeutectoid) cementite (the iron carbide Fe3C). (a) Is this a hypoeutectoid or hypereutectoid steel? Justify your answer without calculation. (b) Calculate the overall composition of the alloy, CAlloy= ? wt.% carbon. (c) Calculate the total wt.% of Fe3C in the alloy.