MEC424 Applied Mechanics Lab – Experiment 2

FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Programme : Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Mechanical (EM220)

Course : Applied Mechanics Lab
Code : MEC 424
Laboratory : Material Science

Experiment : 2

Title : Microstructure Study Of Ferrous And Non Ferrous Alloys

Under Various Compositions And Heat Treatment
Conditions

1.0 Introduction

The properties of metals can be changed or controlled by three different processes; strain hardening
or cold–working, alloying process and heat treatment. All three processes are influenced by and
dependent on the crystalline nature of metals. Engineering metals are commonly categorized into
two main groups; ferrous and non ferrous.

Ferrous metals usually contain iron. Typical examples include engineered materials such as steel and
cast iron, combining an iron base with small amounts of other metals or elements added in. Ferrous
metals are easily identified by their magnetic properties, as well as their poor resistance to corrosion
Non-ferrous metals are those which do not contain iron and are not magnetic. They are also
usually more resistant to corrosion than ferrous metals and rust.

Steels are essentially alloys of iron and carbon containing up to 1.5% carbon. By varying the
manner in which carbon steels are heated and cooled, different combinations of mechanical
properties for steel can be obtained. Heat treatment process is a process of ability to change the
properties by applying heat. Such treatment modifies microstructures, producing a variety of
mechanical properties that are important in manufacturing, such as improve formability and
machinability.

Copper and aluminum are categorized as non-ferrous metal which have been used in engineering
either as in its pure state or as an alloy. The applications of copper and aluminium have been very
wide in the electrical conductors as well as in corrosive environment. Heat treatment of these
metals have in many ways improved their properties for specific or specialized applications. The
properties of copper and aluminium either in their pure state or as in an alloy can be improved by
heat treatment. These changes in properties are the results in the microstructures in these materials
through heat treatment. Thus microstructures transformation has influenced the properties of these
materials.

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 MEC424 Applied Mechanics Lab – Experiment 2

2.0 Objective

Upon completion of this experiment, students should be able to;

• understand the differences between ferrous and non-ferrous alloys from the metallurgical
point of view.
• understand the phase diagram of iron-carbon and non ferrous alloys systems that enables
for heat treating and procedures in heat treatment involved
• describe the principal engineering properties and industrial application of ferrous and non-
ferrous alloys.

3.0 Experimental Procedure

Students will be provided with 8 specimens, which have been heat treated under the following
conditions. Students are required to observe the microstructure under the optical microscope and
record the data obtained.

Figure 1: Ferrous samples (X17, X18, X19, X20) and non-ferrous samples (X12, X13, X14, X15)

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 MEC424 Applied Mechanics Lab – Experiment 2

3.1 Ferrous Alloy

SPECIMEN 1 (X17) - 0.8% carbon steel, rolled bar, heated for 1 hour at 800°C, furnace cooled
(annealed) to room temperature

SPECIMEN 2 (X18) - 0.8% carbon steel, rolled bar, heated for 1 hour at 800°C cooled in still
air (normalized)

SPECIMEN 3 (X19) - 0.35% carbon steel bar, furnace cooled from 870°C

SPECIMEN 4 (X20) - 1.3% carbon steel bar, furnace cooled from 970°C

3.2 Non-Ferrous Alloys

SPECIMEN 5 (X12) - Cu 58% / Zn 42%, reheated to 800 degree C for 1 hour, furnace cooled
to 600 degree C and the water quenched.

SPECIMEN 6 (X13) - Cu 58% / Zn 42%, reheated to 800 degree C for 1 hour, furnace cooled
to room temperature.

SPECIMEN 7 (X14) - Aluminium / 4% copper alloy, sand cast, heated at 525 degree C for 16
hours and then water quenched.

SPECIMEN 8 (X15) - Aluminium / 4% copper alloy, sand cast, heated at 525 degree C for 16
hours and then water quenched, reheated at 260 degree C for 70 hours.

4.0 Results and Discussion (Individual)

In this experiment, students are required to sketch diagrams of specimen observed from the optical
microscope. The students are instructed to identify microstructure characteristic between 4 ferrous
and 4 non-ferrous specimens and relate it to their mechanical properties and engineering
application. Wherever necessary students should use diagrams, charts and table to emphasize on the
findings.

5.0 Conclusion (Individual)

Conclude the findings.

6.0 References (Individual)

List all references that have been made during the course of findings.