Question 1 {15 Marks)
(a) What is the significance of the atomic packing factor?
[1]
(b) Linear density in a given crystallographic direction represents a fraction of the line length that
is occupied by atoms. At room temperature, the crystal structures of iron and aluminium are
BCCand FCCrespectively.
(i)
Calculate the linear density for [110] and (111] directions in iron and aluminium
respectively.
[4]
(ii)
Comment on your answers in (i), and explain why aluminium is softer and more ductile
than iron based on your answers in (i).
[2]
(c) Both XRD analysis and elemental analysis in the SEM generate peaks and troughs in the
spectrum. What is the fundamental difference between the EDS spectrum and the x-ray
diffraction spectrum?
[1]
(d) The {100} planes of a body-centred cubic crystal have a separation of 0.1181 nm. If these
planes are irradiated with x-rays from a copper target, the strongest line has a wavelength of
0.1541 nm.
(i)
At what angle will first order reflection occur?
[2]
(ii)
At what angle will second order reflection occur? What conclusion can you make?
[3]
(iii) Calculate the lattice parameter of the crystal.
[2]
Question 2 (20 marks)
(a) Distinguish between an intrinsic and extrinsic staking fault.
[2]
(b) The activation enthalpy for the formation of vacancies in gold is 91 500 J/mol. Calculate the
equilibrium concentration of vacancies in gold at 727 °C.
[2]
(c) The diagram below shows the Cu-Zn phase diagram. A copper-20%-zinc alloy is made from
cooling molten metal in a sand mold.
(i)
Calculate the phase fractions in this alloy at 1000°C.
[2]
(ii)
If the pouring temperature for the alloy is 1200°C, sketch the cooling curve for this
alloy.
[3]
(iii) With the aid of a clearly labelled diagram, explain the typical microstructure expected
from this casting (show all the zones).
(5]
(iv) What type of nucleation would you expect on solidification, and why?
[2]
(v)
If solidification proceeds slowly, there is a possibility of composition variation across
the casting. What is the common term used for this variation and explain how it
happens.
[2]
(vi) Suggest two ways to eliminate the composition variation indicated in (iv).
[2]
2