Materials and Manufacturing

ENGR 3536 Assignment #1 Stephanie Boateng 0377091

1) List and explain at least two desirable mechanical/physical properties for (a)
underwater applications like submarine structural plates, (b) wine cork, (c) heat
shields on the space shuttle, (d) beverage cans, (e) baseball bats.

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

2) What features of austenite make it attractive for forming operations? What

features make it attractive as a starting structure for many heat treatments?

The feature of austenite that make it attractive for forming operations are its high formability
due to its FCC crystal structure and its high solubility of carbon, which is a characteristic
necessary for heat treatment.

3) Explain your understanding of why the study of the crystal structure of metals is
important.

What I understand about the study of the crystal structure of metals is that the properties of
the elements are periodic functions of their atomic weight. From time to time, it has been
shown that no true comparison can be made unless the data used have been measured at strictly
comparable temperatures. These so-called comparable temperatures can only be known when
the crystal structure and significant properties of the metals have been determined over a
lengthy range of temperature. So, this is why the study of crystal structure of metal is
important.

4) Why is it important for a designer or engineer to know a material’s properties at

all possible temperatures of operation?

It’s important for designers of engineers to know a material’s properties because it gives us
insight in understanding the materials and mechanical performance under specific conditions.
Understanding the basics is the key to selecting the correct materials for the operation of a
machine at all temperature conditions.

5) Is a brittle material a weak material? What does brittleness mean?

Brittleness is the lack of permanent deformation (Plastic deformation) in a material when

subjected to external force. They have very little tendency to deform before rupture. In general,
soft tough metals will be ductile and Harder, stronger metals tend to be more brittle.
Depending on the type of force acting on the material, it can be "weak" or "strong". Brittle
materials are weak when subjected to tensile force, impact and vibration of load. But has high
compressive strength meaning they can withstand high compressive loads. Bone, cast iron,
ceramic, and concrete are examples of brittle materials
Materials and Manufacturing
ENGR 3536 Assignment #1 Stephanie Boateng 0377091

6) Identify at least three different products that are made of stainless steel and
explain why they are made of that material.

Stainless steel is used in the construction of surgical and dental instruments, kidney dishes and
operating tables because it is ideal for hygienic environment as its easily sterilized and resistant
to corrosion.

Stainless steel is used in all forms of transportation including ship container, road tankers and
refuse vehicles. It is excellent for the transportation of chemicals, liquids and food products. Its
high strength which allows for thinner container, saving fuel costs.

Due to its strength, flexibility and resistance to corrosion, stainless steel is commonly used in
the exterior cladding for large high impact buildings, handrails, counter-tops.

7) Design a heat-treating cycle for carbon steel, including temperature and exposure
times, to produce (a) pearlite-martensite steels and (b) bainite-martensite steels.

(a) it is desired to produce a pearlite-martensite steel, so it is important that the cooling

rate be maintained between 140 degrees Celsius per second and 35 Celsius per second
when cooling the material from the eutectoid temperature. Such a cooling rate can be
achieved with a salt or oil quench, where the bath temperature will determine the
cooling rate and the ultimate percentage of pearlite and martensite.
(b) it is desired to have bainite, which forms under very rapid cooling. Thus, the two heat-
treat cycles desired can be sketched as shown below.
Materials and Manufacturing
ENGR 3536 Assignment #1 Stephanie Boateng 0377091

8) What are the six major mechanisms that can be used to increase the strength of a
metal?

Six major mechanisms are, first, Grain -boundary strengthening. This method is of
strengthening materials which is by changing their average crystalline where grain size.
Second, Solid solution strengthening and alloying. This is a type where of alloying that can
be used to improve where the strength of pure metal. Third is Heat treatment which is used
where to alter the physical and we see sometimes the chemical properties where of a material.
As we see the heat treatment techniques which includes annealing, case hardening and also, we
see precipitation hardening, tempering and quenching as well. Next, Strain hardening, this is
also called as the cold working where it is strengthening of metal which is by plastic
deformation. This strengthening which occurs which is because of dislocation movements and
dislocation generation which is within the crystal structure where of the material. Then,
Transformation hardening, this method which is mainly used where for steels. After that we
have Precipitation Hardening which is a heat treatment technique which is used where to
increase the yield strength where of malleable materials which includes the most structural
alloys where of aluminium, magnesium, nickel and as well as the stainless steels.

9) Explain why the strength of a polycrystalline metal at room temperature

decreases as its grain size increases.

The reason why the strength of a polycrystalline metal at room temp. decreases as its grain size
increases is because all the grains are separated by grain boundaries. The strength is attributed
to the motion of dislocation. These grain boundaries act as an obstacle to the dislocation at the
grain size are small, the grain density would be high. These dislocations start to pile up in the
grain boundaries. Smaller the grain size, the lower the piling up of dislocation will be hence
larger the stress is required to collapse the boundary. Hence due to decrease in the grain size,
the strength increases.

10) A prepared sample of metal reveals a structure with 65 grains per square inch at
100X magnification. a. What is its ASTM grain size number? b. Would this
material be weaker or stronger than the same metal with an ASTM grain size
number of 4? Why?

()*+,-
!" = !$. $& = 65
+,.ℎ0

3 = ()*+, -+45 ,6785) = ?

7 = 7*(,+&+.*:+$, = 100

The grain size number is given by the formula: -

7 0
2>?@ = !" A B
100

>?@
100 0
2 = 65 C D = 65
100
Materials and Manufacturing
ENGR 3536 Assignment #1 Stephanie Boateng 0377091

(, − 1)log 5 0 = log K 65

, − 1 = 4.17

, = 5.17

This material will be weaker that the one having grain size number 4, because smaller the grain
size number, smaller the grain. And there is a much greater chance for a dislocation to be
stopped at grain boundary in smaller grain. Therefore, smaller grain is stronger.