The Science and Engineering of Materials:

Ch 14 Exercise
Skills Learned: Effect of alloying elements, aluminum alloys and their designation system
Problem:
1. What is the effect of adding the following elements to alloy steels:
a. Silicon
b. Phosphorus
c. Sulfur
d. Manganese
e. Nickel
f. Chromium
g. Molybdenum
h. Vanadium
i. Aluminum
j. Copper
2. Aluminum alloys are used in numerous applications because of their many desirable
properties. What are the characteristics of aluminum alloys?
3. Using the designation system for aluminum alloys classify the following alloys:
a. 4043-O
b. 1100-H18
c. 2024-T4
d. 201-T6
Is the alloy wrought or cast? What are the alloying elements? Is it heat treatable? How is
the alloy tempered?

Solution:
1. Searing for alloying elements steel at Knovel. Open the Mechanical Engineers
Handbook Materials and Mechanical Design. Section 1.4 has a section on the effect of
alloying elements in steel.
a. Silicon Silicon is added as a deoxidizer and also to enhance electrical properties
b. Phosphorus Phosphorus is an interstitial element that can substantially
strengthen iron and enhance machinability
c. Sulfur Added to a special class of steels to improve machinability
d. Manganese Combine with residual sulfur to form manganese sulfide, preventing
the formation of iron sulfide. Manganese strengthens steel and lowers the
eutectoid transformation temperature.

e. Nickel Nickel is used for corrosion protection and for high-temperature

resistance.
f. Chromium Positive effects on hardenability and important alloying element in
many low-alloy steels. Increases wear resistance.
g. Molybdenum Molybdenum is a hardenability element and is added to minimize
temper embrittlement. It also enhances creep strength.
h. Vanadium Forms vanadium nitride and vanadium carbide, increasing wear
resistance.
i. Aluminum Aluminum is a deoxidizer. Aluminum nitride precipitate help form
optimum crystallographic texture. This makes the steel suitable for drawing.
j. Copper Copper can increase strength and hardness during tempering and
increase atmospheric resistance to corrosion.
2. Search aluminum alloy* characteristics on Knovel. From the results open the
Mechanical Engineers' Handbook - Materials and Mechanical Design (3rd Edition). Open
the first section with 100% relevancy.

Characteristics of aluminum alloys include: Low density/specific gravity, high strengthweight ratio, excellent corrosion resistance, high thermal conductivity, high electrical
conductivity, excellent reflectivity, high fracture toughness and energy absorption
capacity, superior cryogenic toughness, fatigue strength comparable to steel, low
modulus of elasticity, superior workability, easy to join, easy to recycle, and it has a
versatile array of finishes.
3. Enter the search query temper designation aluminum alloy on Knovel.com. Open the
title with 100% relevancy Handbook of Materials Selection. Designation systems for
aluminum alloys can be found in section 4.2 of the sections retrieved.

a. 4043-O : Wrought alloy. Silicon is the main alloying element. Heat treatable
depending on the amount of Silicon and other alloying elements. The alloy is
annealed to obtain the lower strength temper.
b. 1100-H18 : Wrought alloy. Commercially pure aluminum. Not heat-treatable.
This is a cold worked alloy.

c. 2024-T4 : Wrought alloy. Copper is the main alloying element. The alloy is heat
treatable. The alloy is age -hardened
d. 201-T6 : Cast alloy. Copper is the main alloying element. The alloy is heat
treatable. It is age-hardened.