• ATOM : Atom consists of three basic structures they are
protons, neutrons and electrons. A simple atom has a very
small nucleus of 10-4 m in diameter surrounded by relatively
thinly dispersed electron cloud of small density so that the
diameter of the atom is in the order of 10-10m
• ATOMIC NUMBER :The atomic number of an atom
indicates the number of protons which are present in the
nucleus of neutral atom
• BOND : A chemical bond is an interaction between atoms
or molecules and allows the formation of polyatomic
chemical compounds. A chemical bond is the attraction
caused by the electromagnetic force between opposing
charges, either between electrons and nuclei, or as the result
of a dipole attraction.
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY: The different properties of metals are determined by
their crystal structures. These structures determine the behaviors of materials
such as physical, chemical, mechanical etc. Crystal structures are studied by
their atomic arrangements in particular planes and directions.
CRYSTALS: A crystal is a solid whose constituent atoms or molecules are
arranged in a systematic geometric pattern.
STRUCTURE: The structure implies the arrangement and disposition of the
atoms within a crystal (Group of atoms form molecules)
SPACE LATTICE: The atoms arrange themselves in distinct pattern in space is
called space lattice. For example, an infinite three dimensional array points
showing how atoms or molecules are arranged in crystal is known as space
lattice. The points are known as lattice points.
UNIT CELL:
It is the smallest group of atoms possessing the symmetry of
crystal i.e. smallest fundamental repeating portion of a crystal lattice
from which the crystal is built by repetition in three dimensions.
Crystallographic axes : ox,oy,oz
Interfacial angles : α, β, γ
Primitives (Intercepts): a,b,c
CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC PLANES:
The layers of atoms or planes along which atoms are arranged are
known as “atomic planes” or “crystallographic planes”.
MILLER INDICES:
It is a system of notation for designating crystallographic
planes and directions of crystals.
COORDINATE NUMBER:
It is the number of nearest atoms directly surrounding a given
atom in a crystal i.e. nearest neighbours to an atom in a crystal
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE:
It is defined as regular repetition of three dimensional patterns
of atoms in space.
Examples; Iron, Copper, Aluminium etc..
NON-CRYSTALLINE (OR) AMORPHOUS SOLIDS:
Although these solids possessing many characteristics of
crystalline of solids such as definite shape, rigidity and hardness, but are
not having regular internal structure.
Examples: Glass, Wood, Plastics, Rubber etc..
SIMPLE CUBIC:
Atoms are present at the corners only
Each atom at the corner is shared equally by eight other units cells.
Hence, contribution of each atom to the “unit cell” is 1/8
Total number of atoms/unit cell = NC X (1/8)
(NC = Number of atoms at the corners)= 8 X (1/8)
=1
BODY CENTRED CUBIC (BCC):
In a BCC lattice, the body centered atom belongs exclusively to the unit cell.
Total number of atoms / unit cell = (NC X (1/8)) + (NB X (1/1))
(NB= Number of atoms inside the body) = (8 X (1/8)) + (1 X (1/1)
=2
BCC Crystal structure examples :
Chromium (Cr), Molybdenum (Mo), potassium(K)
FACE-CENTRED CUBIC ( FCC) :
A Face atom is shared equally between two unit cells and therefore,
Total number of atoms/ Unit cell = (Nc x (1/8)) + ((1/2)x Nf)
= (8 x (1/8)) + ((1/2)x6)
=4
FCC Crystal Structure Examples :
Aluinium (Al), Copper (Cu), Gold (Au)
HEXAGONAL CLOSE PACKED STRUCTURE ( HCP) :
It consists of three layers of spheres packed one over the other.
Bottom layer (A) and Top layer (A) have three sphere in similar
orientation
Middle layer (B) consists of six spheres
Three spheres in top and bottom layer fit into the same voids on either
side of middle layer.
Each sphere in the structure is in contact with 12 neighbouring spheres,
six in its own layer, three in the layer above and three in the layer below.
Hence, coordination number of HCP structure is 12.
HCP Crystal structure examples :
Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd)
CONSTITUTION OF ALLOYS:
An alloy consists of two or more elements in which one of the elements is
a metal.
It mainly consists of base metal and alloying elements.
In an alloy, the highest proportion of metal is termed as base metal.
Other constituents whether metallic or non-metallic present in the alloy
are called alloying elements.
Example : Nichrome contains ,
Nickel(Ni) = 80% (Base metal)
Chromium (Cr) = 20% (Alloying element)
It one or more elements present in the base metal occasionally, then they
are called impurities.
It mostly happens during smelting and refining processes.