Applied Mechanics Lab MEC 424/AHA/MCM Rev.

01-2014

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN MEKANIKAL
___________________________________________________________________________
Program
:
Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Mechanical (EM220/EM221)
Course
:
Applied Mechanics Lab
Code
:
MEC 424
Lab
:
Material Science
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Lab Sheet No

: 2

Title

: Microstructure Study Of Ferrous And Non Ferrous Alloys

Under Various Compositions And Heat Treatment
Conditions

1.0 Introduction
The mechanical properties of metals can be changed by its composition and heat treatment. Heat
treatment is the process of heating and cooling, individually or combination of both. Engineering
metals are commonly categorized into two main groups; ferrous and non ferrous. By varying the
compositions and heat treatment, different combinations of mechanical properties for ferrous and non
ferrous can be obtained that modifies microstructures, producing a variety of mechanical properties that
are important in manufacturing, such as improve strength, hardness, formability and machinability.
Thus microstructures transformation has influenced the properties of these materials.
2.0 Objective
Upon completion of this experiment, students should be able to;
1. Understand the differences between ferrous and non-ferrous alloys from the metallurgical point
of view.
2. Understand the phase diagram of iron-carbon and non ferrous alloys systems that enables for heat
treating and procedures in heat treatment involved
3. Describe the principal engineering properties and industrial application of ferrous and nonferrous alloys.
3.0 Apparatus
Optical Microscope.

Applied Mechanics Lab MEC 424/AHA/MCM Rev. 01-2014

4.0 Experimental Procedure

Students will be provided with 8 specimens, which have been heat treated under the following
conditions. Students are required to observe the microstructure under the optical microscope and record
the data obtain.
Ferrous Alloy
SPECIMEN 1 (X17) - 0.8% carbon steel, rolled bar, heated for 1 hour at 800C, furnace cooled
(annealed) to room temperature
SPECIMEN 2 (X18) - 0.8% carbon steel, rolled bar, heated for 1 hour at 800C cooled in still
air (normalized)
SPECIMEN 3 (X19) - 0.35% carbon steel bar, furnace cooled from 870C
SPECIMEN 4 (X20) - 1.3% carbon steel bar, furnace cooled from 970C
Non-Ferrous Alloys
SPECIMEN 5 (X12) - Cu 58% / Zn 42%, reheated to 800 degree C for 1 hour, furnace cooled
to 600 degree C and the water quenched.
SPECIMEN 6 (X13) - Cu 58% / Zn 42%, reheated to 800 degree C for 1 hour, furnace cooled
to room temperature.
SPECIMEN 7 (X14) - Aluminium / 4% copper alloy, sand cast, heated at 525 degree C for 16
hours and then water quenched.
SPECIMEN 8 (X15) - Aluminium / 4% copper alloy, sand cast, heated at 525 degree C for 16
hours and then water quenched, reheated at 260 degree C for 70 hours.
5.0 Results and Discussion
Discuss your findings. Wherever necessary please use diagrams, charts and table to emphasize on your
findings.
6.0 Conclusion
Conclude your findings
7.0 References
List all references that you have made during the course of your findings.