Prof. M.O.H.

Amuda

LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
MEE 202: SCIENCE OF MATERIALS
TUTORIAL QUESTIONS

Attempt was made to ensure that these tutorial questions cover crystal structure,
defects, amorphous and true solids, solid solutioning and constitution diagram,
and phase transformation in solids. Students are encouraged to work on all
questions; should there be need for clarification, I am most available to attend to
such concern.

1. Using the schematic illustration below, a crystal structure comprises ------------ and --------
-----

2. The 7 crystal systems in true solids further extend to ----------- Bravais Lattices due to the
presence of -------------- additional unit cells in which the crystals are positioned at --------
-------, -------------------,------------------------ and -----------------.
3. Linear and planar densities are important only in:

a. Atomic packing
b. Alloying and solid solutioning
c. Plastic deformation of metals and ceramics
d. Mechanical working of metallic alloys
4. The choice in (3) above is influenced by the mechanism of ------------ which occurs in the
--------------------------------- and ----------------------------------------.

5. Miller Indices for planes and directions are differently represented as ---------------- and ---
-------------------, respectively.

6. Given a Position Vector r as

r = x + 2y + z
determine, the miller indices for both plane and direction for the position vector.

7. Using schematic illustration, explain why glass is not considered a true solid unlike
stainless steel.

8. The possible chain structures in polymers influencing their properties are -------------------,
------------------------------ and ------------------------------------. And which of these chain
structures would have highest transition (Tg) temperature?

9. Defects develop in crystalline material via ------------------------------ and ---------------------

----------.

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 Prof. M.O.H. Amuda

10. Point defects are important in ……………. and ………………………...

11. Crystalline material properties are influenced by -----------------------------, ------------------------

and ----------------------------------.

12. Briefly explain what made majority of exist in crystalline state. Under what condition may
this not be true?
13. As an expert in the Science of Materials, identify the various forms in which materials may
present themselves.
14. Determine the number of atoms in (a) simple cubic, Body Centered Cubic and Face
Centered Cubic.
15. Establish that c/a ratio for FCC and HCP is 0.74.
16. Estimate the planar density of plane (110) of a Body Centered Crystal system.
17. Where are linear and planar densities important in materials science?
18. Explain the characteristics of closed packed arrangement in FCC and HCP crystal systems.
19. Differentiate between specific and generic plane and direction notations.
20. What are miller indices?
21. Using specific notations for planes and directions, explain the significance of these indices
to plastic deformation of metallic materials. (Hint: you may use the concept of linear and
planar densities.)
22. Using the concept of atomic packing factor, which of BCC and FCC structure is preferable
for solid solutioning?
23. Identify the generic and specific thermodynamic variables for the construction of phase
equilibrium diagram. (Hint: the specific is derived from the generic by justifying that one
of the variables is constant.)
24. what relationship exist in the interaction of lattice parameters in the development of crystal
systems?
25. Completely identify and annotate known crystal systems including their Bravais lattices.
26. Identify the crystal systems commonly found in important metallic materials.
27. What account for the crystal structure in ceramic materials?
28. Differentiate among amorphous, semicrystalline and crystalline polymeric materials indicating
clearly where each of them can be used in engineering application and why?
29. What are the sub-elements of crystal imperfection?
30. In what ways can crystal defect can be advantageous in the development and improvement of
properties of alloys?
31. Explain the concept of hot working and use it to justify why some important plastic deformation
processes take place at high temperature. Also, what is this hot working temperature and how
it is determined?
32. A new alloy was to be developed from Al, Ti and Fe for mid-level temperature application.
What type of alloys could be formed from this combination of elements?
a. Also, what factors would have contributed to the development of inappropriate alloy
from this elemental combination?
b. In what ways could have this defect arose in the alloy and what are the possibilities in
these defects?
c. What can be done to control or minimize the impact of the defect?
33. Differentiate between eutectic and eutectoid point with reference to the iron-iron carbide
equilibrium diagram clearly indicating the engineering significance of these points.
34. Explain how microstructure or defects in materials is/are influenced by materials
composition.
35. Draw a fully annotated iron-iron carbide equilibrium diagram.
36. Differentiate between metallic alloy and composite materials.
37. What are the functions of matrix and refinement in composite?
38. Draw a schematic illustration of the building block for the development of composites.

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39. What are lattice parameters?

40. Using the combination of lattice parameters, develop the seven crystal systems.
41. In what ways is phase transformation utilized in modifying the properties of alloy system?
42. Draw a schematic specific volume-temperature curve for amorphous, semi-crystalline and
fully crystalline materials.
43. Identify common crystal defects in materials and their significance in materials
development and processing.
44. Assume a polyester resin is to be used as the matrix for the development of a composite
material as water reservoir for Epe Campus. Identify the various fibre reinforcements that
are available.
45. Which of these fibres are common reinforcements?
46. What factors control the properties of stainless-steel material developed for cryogenic
application in addition to ability to resist corrosion.
47. What is a Burgers vector and how is it related to the plastic deformation of metallic materials?
48. In a typical materials selection activity, three materials are available for considerations, ferrous,
alloys, aluminum-based alloys and wrought iron as structural element for a bridge deck. Which
of these materials is not an appropriate and why?
49. What are the possible equilibrium states in the mixing of elements to form alloys?
50. What is an alloy system?
51. What are the process variables controlling the development or construction of equilibrium
diagram and which one is considered to be constant and why?
52. How is an unary system differ from a binary system?
53. How is the lever rule applied to determine the phase composition and phase fraction of an alloy
in an equilibrium diagram?
54. Assuming you are working with a given equilibrium diagram for the analysis of the behaviour
of a particular alloy composition, what information can you get from the diagram?
55. Differentiate between congruent and incongruent phases highlighting clearly the significance
of each phase in phase diagram.
56. With practical illustrations, differentiate between eutectoid and eutectoid points.
57. What is a lamellae structure?
58. Explain why eutectic or eutectoid points are significant in casting.
59. What are the effects of alloying elements of the phase diagram of Fe-Fe3C?
60. Differentiate between hypoeutectoid and hypereutectoid with microstructural illustration.
61. What is the difference between hypoeutectoid and hypoeutectic? Microstructural illustration
may be used to reinforce discussion.
62. Why is hypereutectic alloy never used in the as-cast condition?
63. What strategies are available for improving the properties of metallic materials after solid
solutioning?
64. On a temperature-time graph, illustrate with appropriate cooling rate, the various underlisted
heat treatment processes indicating the composition of steels that can undergo each process.
a. Full annealing
b. Stress relief annealing
c. Quenching (both in water and oil)
d. Normalizing
e. Tempering
65. Identify the various applications of composite.
66. What are the building blocks for composite?
67. What are the functions of matrix in composite?
68. What factors influence composite strength?
69. Assuming cermet is formed from a ceramic-metal joint application, which of the constituent is
the reinforcing element?
a. in what form is it commonly used?
b. What is the function of this particular constituent?
70. Provide s step-wise flow for the manufacture of composite of any form, shape and size.

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