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Materials Science Flashcards

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  1. Which microstructure forms when austenite is rapidly quenched to room temperature in steel?

    Answer: Martensite

    Rapid quenching prevents diffusion-controlled transformations, producing martensite—a hard, body-centered tetragonal phase formed by a diffusionless shear transformation.

  2. In fracture mechanics, the stress intensity factor K is related to applied stress σ, crack length a, and a geometry factor Y by:

    Answer: K = Y σ √(πa)

    The stress intensity factor is K = Yσ√(πa), where fracture occurs when K reaches the material's fracture toughness KIc.

  3. The addition of carbon to iron primarily increases hardness by:

    Answer: Forming a solid solution that impedes dislocation motion

    Carbon atoms occupy interstitial sites in iron, creating lattice strain fields that impede dislocation glide and increase strength and hardness.

  4. Which ceramic has the highest hardness and is widely used as an abrasive?

    Answer: Diamond (C)

    Diamond, with a Vickers hardness of ~10,000 HV, is the hardest known material and is extensively used as an industrial abrasive and cutting tool.

  5. Precipitation hardening (age hardening) of an alloy requires which sequence of heat treatments?

    Answer: Solution treatment → quenching → aging

    Precipitation hardening requires solution treatment to dissolve alloying elements, rapid quenching to create a supersaturated solid solution, then controlled aging to precipitate fine strengthening particles.

  6. The Burger's vector of a dislocation describes:

    Answer: The magnitude and direction of lattice distortion caused by the dislocation

    The Burgers vector quantifies the magnitude and direction of the lattice distortion associated with a dislocation, characterizing its type (edge, screw, or mixed).

  7. Which type of composite material consists of continuous fibers embedded in a polymer matrix?

    Answer: Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP)

    Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs) use continuous or chopped fibers (e.g., carbon or glass) in a polymer matrix to achieve high specific strength and stiffness.

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