MAM 506E Phase Transformations
Prof. Dr. M. Lütfi ÖVEÇOĞLU
Mid-Term Examination
March 29th, 2011
4) Given that Dv = ⅙v consider the diffusion of vacancies. (21 points)
2
a) Show that a = ao / √2 for a vacancy jumping in an fcc lattice.
b) Let Sm / R = 2 and = 1013 sec-1. Calculate Do for vacancies (take a0 = 4 Å).
c) If Hm = 23 kcal/mol, calculate Dv for vacancies at T = 800 oC.
Consider the phase diagram shown in below figure. Let T1, T2 and T3 be 1000, 650 and 600 K,
respectively. Consider two pieces of an alloy of composition 0.25; let one be cooled from T1 to T2
and kept at T2 for about 2 minutes while the other is cooled from T1 to T3 and kept at T3 for about
2 minutes. Assuming incoherent and planar boundary between β nuclei and supersaturated α
phase, calculate the increase in length of the precipitates in these two cases. The relevant
diffusivity data is as follows: D0 = 1.2 x 10−2m2/sec and Q = 150 kJ/mol.
Schematic phase diagram to show the heat treatment. The overall alloy composition is 0.25. In one case,
the alloy is cooled from T1 to T2 and is kept at T2 for 5 hours. In the other, the alloy is cooled from T1 to T2
and is kept at T3 for 5 hours
3) By drawing necessary sketches and diagrams, describe and explain : i) incoherent, ii) semi-
coherent and iii) coherent interfaces. Make comparisons between these interface types in terms of
boundary geometries/configurations, interfacial energies and/or considering different alloy systems.
In the light of your explanations, describe in detail the precipitation sequences of new phases for a
composition in the Al-rich end of the Al-Cu binary alloy during cooling from a single phase to the
+ phase mixture region.(20 points)
5) a) At very high temperatures, the grain boundaries of in a recrystallized sample migrate so as to
reduce the total number of grains and thereby increase the mean grain diameter, D. In a single-
phase metal the rate at which the man grain diameter D increases with time will depend on the
grain boundary mobility , M and the driving force for boundary migration. (24 points)
a) What is the driving force for grain boundary migration and how is it expressed as an equation?
b) How is the migration velocity related to mobility and mean grain diameter?
c) On the basis of your answers and arguments in a) and b), derive the equation for grain growth at
a constant temperturature and when the temperature and time are both varied. On the basis of
what you derive, comment on the effects of time and temperature on grain growth.
d) Now, consider the effect of second particles on normal grain growth. Describe the effect of
spherical particles on grain boundary migration. How is the driving force for grain growth
expressed in the presence of second particles? For small grains, i. e. low D values and for large
grains, i. e. large D values?
Useful formulae :
Gibbs Phase Rule : P + F = C + 2 (Pressure, Temperature)
Change in free energy of mixing for ideal solutions :
Actual free energy for ideal solutions :
Actual free energy for regular solutions :
G = XA GA + XB GB + XA XB + RT (XA lnXA + XB lnXB)
Chemical potentials for regular solutions :
A = GA + (1 – XA)2 + RT lnXA
B = GB + (1 – XB)2 + RT lnXB
Vacancy diffusion coefficient :
Dv = (1/6)2zexp(Sm/R) exp (- Hm/RT)
Grain boundary migration mobility, M :
M = Constant/(RT) exp(Sa/R) exp (- Ha/RT)