THE COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
EG244: MATERIAL SCIENCE
ASSIGNMENT 2

LECTURER:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ENZO LANGI PhD

NAME SIN NUMBER

MWAMI SINJELA 21166798
ANGELA MALITATI 21163124
CHARLES LUNGU 21167590
MAKUMBA FRANCIS 21166242
ELIAS SILOMBA 22179295
ANDREW MUSUNGA 21164463
MULENGA CHITA 21163153
CHOLA PASCAL 21168310
ANTHONY MUBANGA 21164014

DUE DATE: 10th JuLY,2023

ASSIGNMENT TWO

(a) In order to calculate the mass fraction of alpha ferrite and cementite in pearlite, we will use the
lever rule.

From the given phase diagram we have the following data:

Composition of cementite = 6.70 wt.%
Initial composition = 0.76 wt.%
Composition of alpha = 0.022wt%
Hence we can calculate the mass fraction of alpha as follows

Composition of cementite − initial composition

W⍺ =
𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑒−𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑎𝑙𝑝ℎ𝑎
6.70−0.76
=
6.70−0.022
W⍺ = 0.89
We can calculate the mass fraction of cementite as well
0.76−0.022
WFe3C = 6.70−0.022
WFe3C = 0.11
(b) Hypo eutectoid Steel: Hypo eutectoid steels have a carbon content below the eutectoid
composition, which is approximately 0.76% carbon. Typically, hypo eutectoid steels contain
carbon levels ranging from 0.1% to 0.76%. When these steels are cooled slowly, their
microstructure consists of ferrite (a soft, ductile phase) and cementite (a hard, brittle phase).
This microstructure is known as pearlite, which appears as lamellar layers under a microscope.
Hypo eutectoid steels are commonly used in applications that require good toughness and
machinability.
Hypereutectoid Steel: Hypereutectoid steels have a carbon content higher than the eutectoid
composition. The carbon content in hypereutectoid steels typically ranges from 0.76% to about
2.0%. When hypereutectoid steels are slowly cooled, the microstructure consists of cementite
and a network of fine-grained ferrite. The excess carbon beyond the eutectoid composition
forms cementite particles, which are harder and more brittle than ferrite. Hypereutectoid steels
are often utilized in applications that require high hardness, wear resistance, and strength.
(c) Eutectoid Ferrite: Eutectoid ferrite is a phase that forms during the solidification of a eutectoid
alloy. In the context of steels, the eutectoid composition corresponds to approximately 0.76%
carbon. When a eutectoid steel is slowly cooled, the austenite phase (which exists at high
temperatures) transforms into a mixture of ferrite and cementite. The ferrite phase that forms is
known as eutectoid ferrite. It has a specific crystal structure and properties and is the result of
the eutectoid reaction.
Proeutectoid Ferrite: Proeutectoid ferrite, on the other hand, is a phase that forms prior to the
eutectoid reaction during the cooling of a hypo eutectoid alloy. In the case of hypo eutectoid
steels, which have a carbon content below the eutectoid composition, the proeutectoid ferrite
forms as the primary solid phase during cooling. As the alloy cools, the ferrite phase forms first,
followed by the eutectoid reaction that transforms the remaining austenite into pearlite (a
 mixture of ferrite and cementite).

The carbon concentration of Eutectoid ferrite and Proeutectoid ferrite will be as follow
Eutectoid Ferrite: The carbon concentration in eutectoid ferrite is approximately 0.022%.
Proeutectoid Ferrite: The carbon concentration in proeutectoid ferrite is typically lower than
the eutectoid composition, but the exact value depends on the specific composition of the
hypereutectoid steel. It can vary but will generally be less than 0.022% carbon.
(d) 1. The proeutectoid phase will be Fe3C since 1.5 wt% C is greater than the eutectoid composition
(0.76 wt% C).
2. Our task is to calculate the combined amount of ferrite and cementite. By using the formula
below.
𝐶𝐹𝑒3𝐶−𝐶0
Wα=
𝐶𝐹𝑒3𝐶−𝐶𝛼
6.70−1.15
=
6.70−0.022

= 0.83

For the total cementite, there is a factor that, when multiplied by the total mass of the alloy (1.0 kg),
yields a result of 0.83 kg of cementite.
𝐶0−𝐶𝛼
WFe3C=𝐶𝐹𝑒3𝐶−𝐶𝛼

1.15−0.022
=
6.70−0.022

=0.17

The mass of the resulting cementite is obtained by multiplying the factor 0.17 with the total mass of the
alloy (1.0 kg), resulting in a mass of 0.17 kg.

3. We need to determine the amounts of pearlite and the proeutectoid phase (cementite) formed, given
that the concentration of carbon, denoted as C1, is 1.15 wt% C
6.70 − 𝐶1
Wp=6.70 −0.76

6.70−1.15
=6.70−0.76

=0.93

The given concentration of carbon, C1' at 1.15 wt% C, corresponds to a mass of 0.93 kg.
𝑐1−0.76
WFe3C= 5.94

1.15−0.76
= 5.94
 =0.07

The mass of 0.93 kg, corresponding to a carbon concentration of 1.15 wt% C, is equivalent to 0.07 kg of
the total mass of 1.0 kg

4.