MTE3502

Physical metallurgy

4 points
* Two lectures per week plus tutorials
* First semester
* Clayton
* Prerequisites: MTE2511, MTE2512

Objectives To provide the student with a thorough understanding of the characteristics and mechanisms of solid state phase transformations. To introduce the student to the manipulation of phase transformations for gains in the properties of engineering materials.

Synopsis Precipitation in Al-based and Ni-based alloys. Nucleation, metastable phases, interface structures. Kinetics. Reversion, precipitate free zones, precipitate distributions. Microstructure control and multi-stage heat treatments. Thermal stability of precipitate systems. Particle coarsening. Martensite: principles and crystallography. Decomposition of austenite. Order/disorder transformations. Microstructural engineering of steels by heat treatment: grain size control, hardenability, TTT and CCT diagrams. Alloy steels; quenching and tempering. Modelling microstructural evolution during heat treatment of non-ferrous alloys and during thermomechanical processing.

Assessment Examinations: 60%
* Assignments: 20%
* Laboratory work: 20%

Recommended texts

Honeycombe R W K and Bhadeshia H Steels: Microstructure and properties Edward Arnold, 1995
Porter D A and Easterling K E Phase transformations in metals and alloys Chapman and Hall, 1992

Reference

Cahn R W and others (eds) Phase transformations in materials VCH Materials Science and Technology Series, vol. 5, 1991
Haasen P Physical metallurgy 2nd edn, CUP, 1978
Krauss G Principles of heat treatment of steels ASM International, 1980
Martin J W and Doherty R Stability of microstructure in metallic systems CUP, 1977
Olson G B and Owen W S (eds) Martensite ASM International, 1992
Polmear I J Light alloys 2nd edn, Edward Arnold, 1989
Russell K C and Aaronson H I (eds) Precipitation processes in solids TMS-AIME, 1978