EXPERIMENT - 2

Effects of grain size on mechanical properties.

AIM
Effects of grain size on microstructure and mechanical properties.

OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of grain size on microstructure and mechanical properties

APPARATUS / EQUIPMENT
● Muffle furnace
● Microscope
● Polishing machine
● Vickers Hardness

CONSUMABLES/ RAW MATERIALS

● Copper
● Polishing papers
● Lapping cloth (velvet)
● Alumina suspension
● Etchant

PROCEDURE
Heat Treatment
● Four types of copper specimens were taken and solution annealing done in the
muffle furnace at 700°C, 750°C, 800°C & 850°C for 60 minutes.
● After heating, the samples were cooled in water medium.

Sample Preparation
● Surface layers oxidized during heat treatment must be removed by polishing using
emery paper.
● Polishing should be done in the sequence from lower grit papers to higher grit
papers.
 ● It should be taken care that each polishing stage removes the scratches from the
previous coarser paper.
● After paper polishing the next step is lapping using a soft cloth (sylvite or velvet)
impregnated with alumina powder and water solution on the polishing disc.
● Dry alumina can mark scratches on the sample surface, so the lapping cloth should
never be dry.
● When all the scratches from the sample surface are removed, etching reveals the
microstructure.
Etchant name: 50ml Ethanol + 12.5ml HCl + 2.5gm Fecl3

Observation
● Microstructure

5x
10x

20x
Grain Size
4.062 μm (micron)

Calculation

Hardness
46.84 HV(Vickers Hardness)
Conclusion

effect of your sample's heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties.

● grain size 4.062 microns indicates that the heat treatment allowed the copper grains
to grow to this size. Larger grains could suggest that the copper experienced
significant recrystallization or grain growth during the annealing process.
● With larger grains, there are fewer grain boundaries within the material. This can
lead to changes in properties like electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and
even thermal properties
● The larger grain size might result in slightly reduced ductility compared to
finer-grained material.
● A Vickers hardness value of 46.84 HV is relatively moderate for copper. It's within
the typical range for annealed or heat-treated copper alloys. Copper is generally
considered to be a relatively soft metal compared to many other engineering
materials.

Heat treatment at varying temperatures led to different grain sizes, with an average of
approximately 4.062 microns. Mechanical testing revealed a Vickers hardness value of
around 46.84 HV. Larger grain sizes, as observed, can impact mechanical properties such
as strength and ductility.
References
● W. D. Callister, D. G. Rethwisch, Materials Science and Engineering., 7ed., NY:
John Wiley & Sons. Anon. The Iron Carbon Phase Diagram 2011.
● V.D. Kodgire, S. V. Kodgire, Material science and metallurgy for engineers,
Everest Publishing House, 38th Ed. 2016.
● D. Callister Jr, Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering, J. Wiley &
Sons, NY, 3rd Ed. 2013.
● Doitpoms-Optical microscopy. (University of Cambridge) dated 27 Aug 2022,
https://www.doitpoms.ac.uk/tlplib/optical-microscopy/preparation.php

Navin Kumar