Exam review
Question #34–You would be given a chart similar to that below and asked to answer the questions (similar to #1, and #2, below. Element Crystal structure Atomic radius Fe BCC 0.124 nm Cr BCC 0.125 nm Al FCC 0.125 nm N HCP 0.065 nm 1. For which combination of metals do you expect substitutional solid solution strengthening to occur? a) Fe and Cr b) Fe and Al c) Fe and N d) Cr and Al e) Cr and N f) Al and N Answer: a)
consider the 4 requirements for substitutional atoms:
Similar: size–a) b) and d) would be correct if we consider only size. xl structure–only a) is correct. We can eliminate all other choices.
Similar electronegativities–if not specified, assume that they are similar for metals given
Similar valences. You would be given a periodic table to determine this. Since Fe and Cr are only 2 columns apart on the periodic table, this is similar enough for our purposes.
2. For which combination of metals do you expect diffusion to be the fastest? a) N in Fe at 700°C b) N in Fe at 900°C c) Cr in Fe at 700°C d) Cr in Fe at 900°C e) Al in Fe at 700°C f) Al in Fe at 900°C Answer: b) The fastest diffusion is interstitial N is part of the small diffusing element list (NOCH), so will be the fastest diffusing species. We can eliminate all but a) and b) Since diffusion is faster at higher temperature, we eliminate a)