BMFG 1213 – MATERIALS ENGINEERING

Tutorial 7: Phase Diagrams

1. Define (a) a phase in a material and (b) a phase diagram.

2. Refer to the pressure-temperature equilibrium phase diagram in Figure 2.1 for pure water
below,

Figure 2.1
Calculate the degrees of freedom are there
i) at the triple point?
ii) along the freezing line?

3. In Figure 3.1 below, the pressure temperature phase diagram for H2O. Apply the Gibbs phase
rule at point A, B, and C; that is, specify the number of degrees of freedom at each of the
points – that is, the number of externally controllable variables that need be specified to
completely define the system.
 Figure 3.1

4. What is a binary isomorphous alloy system? Give an example & sketch its phase diagram?

5. Describe how the liquidus and solidus of a binary isomorphous phase diagram can be determined
experimentally.

6. Explain how a cored structure in 70% Cu-30% Ni alloy is (i) produced and (ii) eliminated by heat
treatment?

7. Consider an alloy containing 70 wt % Ni and 30 wt % Cu in Figure 7.1 below

Figure 7.1
 a) At 1350ºC make a phase analysis assuming equilibrium conditions. In the phase
analysis include the following:
(i) What phases are present?
(ii) What is the chemical composition of each phase?
(iii) What amount of each phase is present?
b) Make a similar phase analysis at 1500ºC.
c) Sketch the microstructure of the alloy at each of these temperatures by using circular
microscopic fields.
8. Name the crystal structures for both ferrite (α-iron) and austenite (ᵧ-iron).

9. Give the composition (in weight percent carbon) of iron carbide, Fe3C, and also the
maximum solubility of carbon in both α -ferrite and austenite phases.
10. Specify the temperature and composition at which the eutectoid reaction occurs, and
write this eutectoid reaction for either heating or cooling.
11. Cite the three types of ferrous alloys on the basis of carbon content, and the composition
range for each.
12. Briefly describe the pearlite structure, and then calculate the relative amounts of the two
phases in this structure.
13. Given the composition of an iron-carbon alloy containing between 0.022 wt% C and 2.11
wt% C, be able to (refer Figure 13.1)
 Figure 13.1

(a) determine whether it is a hypoeutectoid or hypereutectoid alloy;

(b) specify the proeutectoid phase;
(c) compute the mass fractions of the proeutectoid phase and pearlite; and
(d) make a schematic diagram of the microstructure.