Matrl 100C FUNDAMENTALS OF STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION Spring 2017

Problem Assignment 3 due Friday, April 28, at 4 pm

Instructions: Clearly state your assumptions and show all relevant work. Your presentation
should be organized, clean and professional. Homework that does not meet minimum standards
of legibility and cleanliness will not receive any credit. All properties and calculations should be
in SI units. Graphs should be computer-generated if at all possible.
1. Consider the Nb-Al phase diagram below.

1.1. Sketch the free energy vs. composition curves for the liquid phase and the solid phases
entering into the invariant reaction at 1590C. While the liquid phase should extend across
the entire composition range, you may show only partial curves for the intermetallic phases
(i.e. they do not have to extend across the entire composition range). It is suggested that
you define the pure liquid components as reference states, as in Homework 2. Please be
sure that your curves, common tangents and tangent points are all properly positioned
relative to each other. (8 points)
1.2. Write the appropriate expressions for all invariant reactions. (The equilibrium
compositions for the two phases near the pure Al axis involved in the latter reaction are
99.94 and 99.96 at.%). Recall the format specified in class to write the invariant reactions.
Identify the type of each reaction. (Hint: note the invariant reaction temperature relative to
the melting point of Al.) (12 points)
Matrl 100C FUNDAMENTALS OF STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION Spring 2017
Problem Assignment 3 due Friday, April 28, at 4 pm

2. The Cu-Sn phase diagram is shown below. The phase is an allotrope of the phase.

2.1. Identify all the intermediate phases and their range of temperature stability, i.e. the highest
and lowest temperature at which they are stable. For those intermediate phases still stable
at 100C you may assume they are stable down to 0K. (8 points)
2.2. Using the format specified in class, write the invariant reactions occurring at 798C,
640C, 520C and 227C, specify the type of reaction, the phases involved and the
approximate composition of each phase in weight percent Sn. (16 points)
2.3. Sketch the cooling curve for a Cu-42.5%Sn alloy (dotted line) from 900C to room
temperature. Clearly indicate the transformation temperatures and phases present at each
stage of the cooling process. Tabulate the weight fraction of the phases present
immediately above and below each invariant reaction during the cooling process. (20
points).
2.4. What is the solidification temperature range for an alloy with 60.9 wt.%Sn under
equilibrium conditions? What are the compositions of the first solid to appear and the last
liquid present in the solidification process? (8 points)
3. (Problem 2.6 in P&E) The figure below shows the molar free energy-composition
diagram for the A-B system at temperature T1. Imagine that a block of with composition
(1) is welded to a bloc of phase with composition (2). By considering the chemical
Matrl 100C FUNDAMENTALS OF STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION Spring 2017
Problem Assignment 3 due Friday, April 28, at 4 pm

potential of A and B atoms in both the and phases predict which way the atoms will
move during a diffusion anneal at T1. Show that this leads to a reduction of the molar free
energy of the couple. Indicate the composition of the two phases when equilibrium is
reached. (8 points).

4. Consider the Ni-Mo phase below. Suppose that two thick plates, one pure Mo and one
pure Ni, are polished to a smooth finish on one surface, clamped together with the polished
surfaces in contact and placed in a furnace at 1200 K (927C) for one week. The assembly,
which is called a diffusion couple, is then pulled out of the furnace quickly and quenched
in water to retain the structure present at high temperature.
4.1. Identify the phases present across the entire diffusion couple. You may assume that the
initial planes are sufficiently thick that the compositions at the ends of the diffusion couple
remain essentially unchanged, i.e. they are pure Ni and pure Mo. (6 points).
4.2. Sketch the composition profile across the thickness of the diffusion couple, clearly
marking the phases as vertical bands and the compositions at all relevant interfaces. Your
graph should have composition on the ordinate and distance along the diffusion path in the
abscissa (units should be quantitative in composition but the distance is relatively
arbitrary.) Please note that two-phase regions are represented as interfaces in a diffusion
couple, with the compositions of the phases meeting at the interface determined by the
phase diagram. (8 points)
Matrl 100C FUNDAMENTALS OF STRUCTURAL EVOLUTION Spring 2017
Problem Assignment 3 due Friday, April 28, at 4 pm