Contents

Basic step in solidification

Nucleation
Types of nucleation
Solidification of pure metal
Solidification of alloy

1
Basic step in solidification
Nucleation

 Solidification is occurred through

• Formation of nuclei

• Growth of nuclei

 Nucleation refers to the process in which tiny solid

particles, called ‘nuclei’, are formed when liquid metal
cools below its liquidous temperature.
Formation of nuclei
Growth of nuclei into crystal and grains
Types of nucleation

(B)
(A)

 Homogeneous nucleation: It occurs spontaneously without the

help of foreign particles.
 Heterogeneous nucleation: It occurs with the help of foreign
particles
Solidification of pure metal

Stop

 Crystallization and freezing in a pure metal occurs at constant

temperature
 However, under cooling (super cooling) is required in the beginning
to initiate the phenomenon of crystallization
Solidification of alloy
Solidification of alloy
Solidification of alloy

(A) First and second stage of dendritic growth (B) Final stage of dendritic growth
Effect of grain size on properties of material

 On the basis of grain size, materials classified as

• Coarse grained material (grain size is larger)
• Fine grained material (grain size is small)

(A) Coarse grain (Large grain) (B) Fine grain (Small grain)
Effect of grain size on mechanical properties

1. Fine grained structure possesses higher strength, hardness and

resistance to suddenly applied load
2. Fine grained structure possesses better impact resistance and
fatigue strength
3. A fined grain structure develops hardness faster in carburizing
4. A coarse grained material is responsible for surface roughness
5. A coarse grained material possesses more ductility, malleability
and machinability
6. Coarse grained metal are difficult to polish or plating (as
rough surface is visible even after polish)
Thank you…..