Colorado State University

Department of Mechanical Engineering

MECH 331: Introduction to Engineering Materials

Fall, 2016
Instructor: Kaka Ma

Homework 4 (60 points)

Due Date: 5:00 PM, Wednesday, Sep. 21, 2016. Submit to Canvas as a pdf file.

1. [12 pts] Which of the following elements would be expected to have unlimited solid
solubility in gold? (a) Ag; (b) Al; and (c) Fe. Clearly explain your conclusion.

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You may look up data for atomic radii and valence in Appendix B in textbook.

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4 pts for each sub-problem (2 pts for explanations, such as comparing the atom radii,

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valence, electronegativity; and 2 pts for correct answers).

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Solution:
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Of the elements, silver is the only element to potentially have unlimited solubility with
gold since all values are predominately the same. Aluminum is structurally close, but
the electronic state is very different from gold. Iron electronic state and crystal
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structures differ from gold making it insoluble in gold.

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2. [12 pts] Problem 10-41 Determine the degrees of freedom under the following
conditions: (a) Tl–20 wt% Pb at 325°C and 400°C; (b) Tl–40 wt% Pb at 325°C and
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400°C; (c) Tl–90 wt% Pb at 325°C and 400°C. Refer to the phase diagram in Figure
10–8(d).

Note: Some students may think pressure is also a variable and thus use C+2 = F + P as
the Gibbs Phase Rule. I stated that in lecture that P is commonly assumed to be constant
for solid materials. But do NOT take points off if the students use C+2=F+P instead of
C+1=F+P. 4 pts for each sub-problem.

Solution:

https://www.coursehero.com/file/27214625/MECH-331-Homework-4-solutionspdf/
©Dr. K. Ma, 2016
 The Gibbs Phase Rule is C + 1 = F + P, where C is the number of components, F is the
number of degrees of freedom, and P is the number of phases present for an equilibrium
phase diagram at constant pressure.

(a) For Tl–20 wt% Pb at 325°C, P = 2 (solid solution and liquid) and C = 2 (Pb and Tl),
hence F = C–P + 1 = 1 There is one degree of freedom.

For Tl–20 wt% Pb at 400°C, P = 1 (liquid) and C = 2 (Pb and Tl), hence F = C–P + 1
= 2–1 + 1 = 2 There are two degrees of freedom.

(b) For Tl–40 wt% Pb at 325°C, P = 1 (solid solution) and C = 2 (Pb and Tl), hence F
= C–P + 1 = 2–1 + 1 = 2 There are two degrees of freedom.

For Tl–40 wt% Pb at 400°C, P = 1 (liquid) and C = 2 (Pb and Tl), hence F = C–P + 1
= 2–1 + 1 = 2 There are two degrees of freedom.

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(c) For Tl–90 wt% Pb at 325°C, P = 2 (solid solution and liquid) and C = 2 (Pb and Tl),

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hence F = C–P + 1 = 1 There is one degree of freedom.

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For Tl–90 wt% Pb at 400°C, P = 1 (liquid) and C = 2 (Pb and Tl), hence F = C–P + 1
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= 2–1 + 1 = 2 There are two degrees of freedom.
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3. [24 pts] Locate the following points in the Ag-Pd phase diagram and indicate the phases
present, the composition of the phases, and their relative amounts: (a) 50 wt% Pd at
1300°C; (b) 80 wt% Pd at 1425°C; and (c) 90 wt% Ag at 1100°C. (See Figure 10-21.)

8 pts for each sub-problem. (2 pts for determining the phases, 3 pts for composition of
the phases and 3 pts for their relative amounts). Please note that the values of the
intersections between the tie lines and the liquidus and solidus lines the students read
from the phase diagram may be slightly different from the values provided in the
solutions, which is fine as long as they show they understand how to derive the
composition and the amount of the phases.

https://www.coursehero.com/file/27214625/MECH-331-Homework-4-solutionspdf/
©Dr. K. Ma, 2016
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4. [12 pts] Problem 9-19 Suppose that liquid nickel is undercooled until homogeneous
nucleation occurs. Calculate (a) the critical radius of the nucleus required and (b) the
number of nickel atoms in the nucleus. Assume that the lattice parameter of the solid
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FCC nickel is 0.356 nm. Relative data could be found in Table 9-1.
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6pts for each sub-problem. Give partial credits for correct equations. If answers only
show number without units, take 1 pt off.

https://www.coursehero.com/file/27214625/MECH-331-Homework-4-solutionspdf/
©Dr. K. Ma, 2016
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https://www.coursehero.com/file/27214625/MECH-331-Homework-4-solutionspdf/
©Dr. K. Ma, 2016

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