Assignment Questions Set 2 (Module 2)

1. Derive expressions for the critical radius and critical free energy change for
homogeneous nucleation in terms of surface free energy change and volume free
energy change.
2. Plot and explain the variation of nucleation rate with respect to temperature.
3. Show that the critical radius and critical free energy change decrease with
increase in temperature.
4. What is heterogeneous nucleation? How does it affect the solidification process?
5. Compare dendritic growth and planar growth occurring during solidification of
metals.
6. Briefly explain the significance of grain boundaries.
7. Sketch the cross-sections of the following and explain the reasons for the
formation of the observed grain structure. (a) sand casting (b) die casting (c) butt
joint made with arc welding.
8. What is meant by coring? Explain with the help of a phase diagram and a suitable
example, how a cored structure is formed during non-equilibrium cooling of an
alloy.
9. Through the application of Hume-Rothery Rules, find out whether the given
combinations of elements form substitutional solid solutions with unlimited solid
solubility. (i) Cu-Ni (ii) Fe-C (iii) Co-Ni (iv) Cu-Pt (v) Au-Ag (vi) Zn-Cu (vii)
Au-Cu (viii) Mg-Zn (ix) Al-Cu (x) Nb-W (xi) Fe-N (xii) Mg-Sn
10. What is meant by intermetallic compounds? Give examples.
11. Separation of Hydrogen gas from a mixture of gases is achieved at 500oC by
diffusing it through a Palladium sheet of thickness 5 mm and area 0.50 m2. The
concentrations of Hydrogen at high and low pressure sides of the sheet are
maintained constant at 2.4 and 0.6 kg of Hydrogen per cubic metre of Palladium.
Compute the time required to collect 1 kg of Hydrogen. Assume a diffusion
coefficient of 1.2 x 10-8 m2s-1.
12. Find out the values of diffusion coefficient for diffusion of carbon in BCC-Fe and
FCC-Fe at 900oC. Give reasons for the observed variation.
13. For a particular steel alloy, it was found that a carburising treatment of 10 hour
duration raises the carbon concentration to 0.35 wt% at a depth of 2 mm from the
surface. What will be the required duration to achieve the same carbon
concentration at a depth of 4 mm on an identical piece of steel, employing
identical carburising conditions?
14. To meet the two functional requirements of a steel gear viz., (i) hard and wear
resistant surface and (ii) soft and tough core, it is proposed to case harden a gear
made out of steel with carbon content of 0.15 wt%. To achieve the required
hardness, the carbon content has to be raised to 0.75 wt% at a depth of 0.65 mm
below the surface. If it is possible to maintain the surface carbon concentration at
1.3 wt% and the temperature in the range of 1000oC to 1200oC, design an
appropriate heat treatment process (in terms of temperature and time).
15. Sketch the phase diagrams for the following binary alloy systems: (i) Cu-Ni (ii)
Cu-Au (iii) Pb-Zn (iv) Bi-Cd (v) Au-Ag (vi) Pb-Sn (vii) Ag-Pt (viii) Mg-Sn (ix)
Au-Pb (x) Al-Si