UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
Faculty : LKC FES Unit Code : UEME1343
Course : CL, ME, MT, MH, PH Unit Title : Materials Science and
Engineering
Year/ : Year 1/ Trimester 1, Lecturer/ :
Trimester Year 1/ Trimester 2, Tutor
Year 2/Trimester 1
Session : June 2025
Tutorial No. 6
8. In general, there are four classes of steels. Please list them out and briefly describe the properties
and typical applications.
Answer:
a) Low Carbon Steels
Properties: nonresposive to heat treatments; relatively soft and weak; machinable and weldable.
Typical applications: automobile bodies, structural shapes, pipelines, buildings, bridges, and tin cans.
b) Medium Carbon Steels
Properties: heat treatable, relatively large combinations of mechanical characteristics.
Typical applications: railway wheels and tracks, gears, crankshafts, and machine parts.
c) High Carbon Steels
Properties: hard, strong, and relatively brittle.
Typical applications: chisels, hammers, knives, and hacksaw blades.
d) High Alloy Steels (Stainless and Tool)
Properties: hard and wear resistant; resistant ot corrosion in a large variety of environments.
Typical applications: cutting tools, brills, cutlery, food processing, and surgical tools.
9. Briefly state the reason(s) the following:
a. What is the function of alloying elements in tools steels?
b. Why gray iron is brittle and weak in tension?
c. Why ferrous alloys are used so extensively?
d. What is the difference between hardness and hardenability?
Answer:
a. The alloying elements in tool steels (e.g., Cr, V, W, and Mo) combine with the carbon to form
very hard and wear-resistant carbide compounds.
b. Gray iron is weak and brittle in tension because the tips of the graphite flakes act as points of
stress concentration.
c. i) Iron ores exist in abundant quantities, ii) Economical extraction, refining, and fabrication
techniques are available, iii) The alloys may be tailored to have a wide range of properties.
d. Hardness is a measure of a material’s resistance to localized surface deformation, whereas
hardenability is a measure of the depth to which a ferrous alloy may be hardened by the
formation of martensite, Hardenability is determined from hardness tests.
10. For each of the following pairs of polymers, do the following: (1) state whether it is possible to
decide whether one polymer has a higher tensile modulus than the other; (2) if this is possible, note
which has the higher tensile modulus and then cite the reason(s) for your choice; and (3) if it is not
possible to decide, then state why.
a. Random acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer with 10% of possible sites crosslinked;
alternating acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer with 5% of possible sites crosslinked
b. Branched and syndiotactic polypropylene with a degree of polymerization of 5000; linear
and isotactic polypropylene with a degree of polymerization of 3000
c. Branched polyethylene with a number-average molecular weight of 250,000 g/mol; linear
and isotactic poly(vinyl chloride) with a number-average molecular weight of 200,000
g/mol
Answer:
For each of four pairs of polymers, we are to do the following: (1) determine whether or not it is
possible to decide which has the higher tensile modulus; (2) if so, note which has the higher tensile
modulus and then state the reasons for this choice; and (3) if it is not possible to decide, then state why.
a) No, it is not possible. The random acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer will tend to a lower degree of
crystallinity than the alternating acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer inasmuch as random
copolymers don’t normally crystallize. On this basis only, the alternating material would have a
higher modulus inasmuch as tensile modulus increases with degree of crystallinity. On the other
hand, the random copolymer has a higher degree of crosslinking (10% versus 5% for the
alternating copolymer), and, on this basis only would have the higher tensile modulus—an increase
in crosslinking leads to an increase in E. Thus, this determination is not possible; with regard to
degree of crystallinity the alternating material has the higher E, whereas the random copolymer
would have a higher E value on the basis of degree of crosslinking.
b) Yes, it is possible. The linear and isotactic polypropylene will have a greater tensile modulus.
Linear polymers are more likely to crystallize that branched ones. The likelihood of crystallization
for both syndiotactic and isotactic polypropylene is about the same, and, therefore, degree is
crystallization is not a factor. Furthermore, tensile modulus is relatively insensitive to degree of
polymerization (i.e., molecular weight)—the fact that branched PP has the higher molecular weight
is not important.
c) Yes, it is possible. Linear polymers have higher degrees of crystallization (and higher tensile
moduli) than branched polymers—on this basis, the PVC material have the higher value of E. On
the other hand, PVC has a more complex repeat unit structure with the present of chlorine side
group. Whereas branched PE would have a lower degree of crystallinity and also inferior tensile
modulus. Also, tensile modulus is relatively independent of small different number-average
molecular weight. Therefore, this determination is possible since it is possible to determine which
of the two materials has the greater degree of crystallinity and side group effect.
11. For each of the following pairs of polymers, do the following: (1) state whether it is possible to
determine whether one polymer has a higher melting temperature than the other; (2) if it is possible,
note which has the higher melting temperature and then cite reason(s) for your choice; and (3) if it
is not possible to decide, then state why.
a. Isotactic polystyrene that has a density of 1.15 g/cm3 and a weight-average molecular
weight of 150,000 g/mol; syndiotactic polystyrene that has a density of 1.12 g/cm3 and a
weight-average molecular weight of 125,000 g/mol
b. Linear polyethylene that has a degree of polymerization of 6000; linear and isotactic
polypropylene that has a degree of polymerization of 7000.
c. Branched and isotactic polystyrene that has a degree of polymerization of 5000; linear and
isotactic polypropylene that has a degree of polymerization of 8000.
Answer:
(a) Yes, it is possible to determine which of the two polystyrenes has the higher Tm. The isotactic
polystyrene will have the higher melting temperature because it has a higher density (i.e., less
branching) and also the greater weight-average molecular weight.
(b) Yes, it is possible to determine which polymer has the higher melting temperature. The
polypropylene will have the higher Tm because it has a bulky phenyl side group in its repeat
unit structure, which is absent in the polyethylene. Furthermore, the polypropylene has a higher
degree of polymerization.
(c) No, it is not possible to determine which of the two polymers has the higher melting
temperature. The polystyrene has a bulkier side group than the polypropylene; on the basis of
this effect alone, the polystyrene should have the greater Tm. However, the polystyrene has
more branching and a lower degree of polymerization; both of these factors lead to a lowering
of the melting temperature.
5. Explain
a. Why residual thermal stresses are introduced into a glass piece when it is cooled
b. Why borosilicate glasses and fused silica are resistant to thermal shock.
c. How porosity improves and adversely affected the refractory ceramic materials?
Answer:
a. Residual thermal stresses are introduced into a glass piece when it is cooled because surface
and interior regions cool at different rates, and, therefore, contract different amounts; since
the material will experience very little, if any deformation, stresses are established.
b. Borosilicate glasses and fused silica are resistant to thermal shock because they have
relatively low coefficients of thermal expansion; therefore, upon heating or cooling, the
difference in the degree of expansion or contraction across a cross-section of a ware that is
constructed from these materials will be relatively low.
c. For refractory ceramic materials, three characteristics that improve with increasing porosity
are (1) decreased thermal expansion and contraction upon thermal cycling, (2) improved
thermal insulation, and (3) improved resistance to thermal shock. Two characteristics that
are adversely affected are (1) load-bearing capacity and (2) resistance to attack by corrosive
materials.
6. For a polymer-matrix fiber-reinforced composite:
a. List three functions of the matrix phase
b. Compare the desired mechanical characteristics of matrix and fiber phases.
c. Why there must be a strong bond between fiber and matrix at their interface.
Answer:
a) For polymer-matrix fiber-reinforced composites, three functions of the polymer-matrix
phase are: (1) to bind the fibers together so that the applied stress is distributed among the
fibers; (2) to protect the surface of the fibers from being damaged; and (3) to separate the
fibers and inhibit crack propagation.
b) The matrix phase must be ductile and is usually relatively soft, whereas the fiber phase
must be stiff and strong.
c) There must be a strong interfacial bond between fiber and matrix in order to: (1) maximize
the stress transmittance between matrix and fiber phases; and (2) minimize fiber pull-out,
and the probability of failure.
7. Explain
a. What is the distinction between matrix and dispersed phases in a composite material
b. Contrast the mechanical characteristics of matrix and dispersed phases for fiber-reinforced
composites.
Answer:
a) The matrix phase is a continuous phase that surrounds the noncontinuous dispersed phase.
b) In general, the matrix phase is relatively weak, has a low elastic modulus, but is quite ductile.
On the other hand, the fiber phase is normally quite strong, stiff, and brittle.
8. Name the two stages involved in the formation of particles of a new phase. Briefly describe each
Solution
The two stages involved in the formation of particles o f a new phase are nucleation and growth. The
nucleation process involves the formation of normally very small particles of the new phase(s) which
are stable and capable of continued growth. The growth stage is simply the increase in size of the new
phase particles.
9. Briefly cite the differences between pearlite, bainite, and spheroidite relative to microstructure and
mechanical properties
Solution
The microstructures of pearlite, bainite, and spheroidite all consist of α-ferrite and cemetite phases. For
pearlite, the two phases exist as laywers which alternate with one another. Bainite consists of very fine
and parallel needle-shaped particles of cementite that are surrounded an α-ferrite matrix. For
spheroidite, the matrix is ferrite, and the cementite phase is in the shape of sphere-shaped particles.
Bainite is harder and stronger than pearlite, which, in turn, is harder and stronger than spheroidite.
10. Rank the following iron–carbon alloys and associated microstructures from the highest to the
lowest tensile strength:
0.25 wt% C with spheroidite
0.25 wt% C with coarse pearlite
0.60 wt% C with fine pearlite
0.60 wt% C with coarse pearlite
Justify this ranking.
Solution
This problem asks us to rank four iron–carbon alloys of specified composition andbmicrostructure
according to hardness. This ranking is as follows:
0.60 wt% C, fine pearlite
0.60 wt% C, coarse pearlite
0.25 wt% C, coarse pearlite
0.25 wt% C, spheroidite
The 0.25 wt% C, coarse pearlite is stronger than the 0.25 wt% C, spheroidite since coarse pearlite is
stronger than spheroidite; the composition of the alloys is the same. The 0.60 wt% C, coarse pearlite is
stronger than the 0.25 wt% C, coarse pearlite, since increasing the carbon content increases the
strength. Finally, the 0.60 wt% C, fine pearlite is stronger than the 0.60 wt% C, coarse pearlite
inasmuch as the strength of fine pearlite is greater than coarse pearlite because of the many more
ferrite–cementite phase boundaries in fine pearlite.
11. (a) Briefly explain the difference between oxidation and reduction electrochemical reactions.
(b) Which reaction occurs at the anode and which at the cathode?.
Solution
(a) Oxidation is the process by which an atom gives up an electron (or electrons) to become a
[Link] is the process by which an atom acquires an extra electron (or electrons) and
becomes an anion.
(b) Oxidation occurs at the anode; reduction at the cathode.
12. For the following pairs of alloys that are coupled in seawater, predict the possibility of corrosion; if
corrosion is probable, note which metal/alloy will corrode.
(a) Aluminum and magnesium
(b) Zinc and a low-carbon steel
(c) Brass (60 wt% Cu–40 wt% Zn) and Monel (70 wt% Ni–30 wt% Cu)
(d) Titanium and 304 stainless steel
(e) Cast iron and 316 stainless steel
Solution
This problem asks, for several pairs of alloys that are immersed in seawater, to predict whether or not
corrosion is possible, and if it is possible, to note which alloy will corrode. In order to make these
predictions it is necessary to use the galvanic series, Table 17.2. If both of the alloys in the pair reside
within the same set of brackets in this table, then galvanic corrosion is unlikely. However, if the two
alloys do not lie within the same set of brackets, then that alloy appearing lower in the table
will experience corrosion.
(a) For the aluminum–magnesium couple, corrosion is possible, and magnesium will corrode.
(b) For the zinc–low carbon steel couple, corrosion is possible, and zinc will corrode.
(c) For the brass–monel couple, corrosion is unlikely inasmuch as both alloys appear within the same
set of brackets.
(d) For the titanium–304 stainless steel pair, the stainless steel will corrode, inasmuch as it is below
titanium in both its active and passive states.
(e) For the cast iron–316 stainless steel couple, the cast iron will corrode since it is below stainless
steel in both active and passive states.