Metallurgy & Material Science Flashcards

What is metallurgy?

Answer: Study of metals and their properties

Metallurgy is the scientific and engineering discipline dedicated to the study of metals and their properties. This field encompasses how metals are extracted from their ores, processed, and combined to create alloys, as well as understanding their physical and chemical behaviors. It is crucial for developing materials with specific characteristics for various applications.

What is an alloy?

Answer: Mixture of metals or elements

An alloy is a homogeneous mixture composed of two or more elements, where at least one of these elements is a metal. Alloys are created to enhance specific properties of pure metals, such as increasing strength, hardness, or corrosion resistance. Common examples include steel (iron and carbon) and brass (copper and zinc).

Which property measures a material’s resistance to deformation?

Answer: Hardness

Hardness is a material property that quantifies its resistance to localized plastic deformation, such as indentation, scratching, or abrasion. A harder material will resist these forms of deformation more effectively than a softer one. This property is critical in applications where materials must withstand wear and maintain their shape under stress.

What is ductility in metals?

Answer: Ability to stretch into wire

Ductility is the mechanical property of a material that describes its ability to be plastically deformed under tensile stress without fracturing. Specifically, it refers to a metal's capacity to be drawn or stretched into a thin wire. This property is essential for manufacturing processes like wire drawing and for materials that need to deform rather than break under load.

What does heat treatment do to metals?

Answer: Improves strength and hardness

Heat treatment involves controlled heating and cooling processes applied to metals to alter their microstructure and, consequently, their mechanical properties. These processes can significantly improve a metal's strength, hardness, toughness, or ductility, depending on the specific treatment. Common heat treatments include annealing, quenching, and tempering, each designed to achieve different material characteristics.

Which metal is known for its high corrosion resistance?

Answer: Stainless steel

Stainless steel is an alloy primarily composed of iron, chromium, and often nickel, known for its exceptional resistance to corrosion and rust. The chromium content forms a passive, self-repairing oxide layer on the surface, which protects the underlying metal from environmental degradation. This makes it ideal for applications requiring hygiene and durability, such as kitchenware, medical instruments, and architectural components.

What is the term for the ability of a metal to be hammered into thin sheets?

Answer: Malleability

Malleability is a mechanical property that describes a material's ability to undergo plastic deformation under compressive stress without fracturing. Specifically, it refers to a metal's capacity to be hammered, pressed, or rolled into thin sheets. This property is crucial for manufacturing processes like forging and sheet metal fabrication.

What causes metal fatigue?

Answer: Repeated stress cycles

Metal fatigue is the progressive and localized structural damage that occurs when a material is subjected to repeated or fluctuating stress cycles. Even stresses below the material's yield strength can eventually lead to crack initiation and propagation over time. This phenomenon is a common cause of failure in engineering structures and components, highlighting the importance of design for cyclic loading.

Why is thermal conductivity important in materials?

Answer: Determines heat transfer

Thermal conductivity is a material property that quantifies its ability to transfer heat energy. Materials with high thermal conductivity efficiently conduct heat, while those with low conductivity act as insulators. This property is crucial in applications ranging from heat sinks in electronics to insulation in buildings, as it directly determines how effectively heat moves through a substance.