PRACTIAL NO2 ME4K MEM

Practical Related Questions

1. Define Microscopy.

Answer:

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Microscopy is the science of investigating small objects and structures using a microscope

2. State the principle of Metallurgical Microscope.

Answer:

A horizontal beam of light from the light source is reflected by means of a plane glass
reflector downwards through the microscope objective on the surface of the specimen some
of these incident light reflected from the specimen surface will be magnified and passing
through the plane glass reflector and magnified again by upper lens system eye-piece.

3. List different etching agents used for specimen preparations.

Answer.

Etching agents: Nital, picral, ferric chloride, hydrochloric acid, Vilella's reagent, Murakami's
reagent, sodium hydroxide.

4 Explain features of microstructures obtained in each case.

Answer:

Low-carbon steel: Fine-grained, equiaxed ferrite microstructure.

Medium-carbon steel: Mixture of ferrite and pearlite, with pearlite forming a network around
ferrite grains.

High-carbon steel: Predominantly pearlite with a network of cementite.

Ferritic stainless steel: Primarily ferritic microstructure with a fine-grained, equiaxed

structure.

Austenitic stainless steel: Primarily austenitic microstructure with a relatively large, equiaxed
grain size.

Martensitic stainless steel: Primarily martensitic microstructure with a needle-like or acicular

shape.
HSS: Complex microstructure containing carbides and a matrix phase.

Spring steel: Tempered martensitic microstructure with a fine, acicular

shape.

5. Explain the significance of grain size in the microstructure of metals. How is grain size
measured, and what impact does it have on the mechanical properties of the material.

Answer:

Significance of grain size: Grain size influences mechanical properties

like strength, ductility, and toughness. Smaller grains generally lead to higher strength and
hardness due to increased grain boundary area, while larger grains can improve ductility and
toughness.

Measurement: Grain size is measured using ASTM grain size number, which is a logarithmic
scale based on the number of grains per square inch at a magnification of 100x.

Impact on mechanical properties: Smaller grain size typically results in

higher strength and hardness due to increased grain boundary area, which hinders
dislocation movement. However, excessive refinement can reduce ductility and toughness.
Larger grain size can improve ductility and toughness but may decrease strength.

6 Explain common microstructural features observed in metallurgical samples, such as

grain boundaries, phases, inclusions, and precipitates. How do these features relate to the
material's properties.

Answer:

Grain boundaries: Interfaces between grains, affecting strength, ductility, and corrosion
resistance.

Phases: Different regions within a material with distinct compositions and structures,
influencing properties like strength, hardness, and toughness.

Inclusions: Impurities trapped within the material, affecting properties like strength, ductility,
and

Precipitates: Small, second-phase particles formed within the material, influencing strength,
hardness, and toughness.
7 Explain effects of over-etching and under-etching on the microstructure of a metallurgical
sample? How can these effects be mitigated.

Answer:

Over-etching: Excessive etching can lead to blurred grain boundaries and loss of
microstructural detail.

Under-etching: Insufficient etching may result in inadequate contrast and difficulty in

distinguishing phases

Mitigation:

Over-etching: Reduce etching time or use a weaker etching reagent.

Under-etching: Increase etching time or use a stronger etching reagent.

Control etching conditions: Maintain consistent temperature and agitation.

Use appropriate etching reagents: Select reagents based on the material and desired
microstructure features.

8 Explain the microstructure of low carbon steel.

Answer:

Low-carbon steel typically exhibits a fine-grained, equiaxed ferrite microstructure. Ferrite is a

soft, ductile, and low-carbon phase that is the primary constituent in low-carbon steels.

9 Explain the microstructure of alloy steel.

Answer:

Alloy steels are steels that have been modified by the addition of alloying elements, such as
carbon, manganese, silicon, chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and tungsten. The
microstructure of alloy steels can vary widely depending on the specific alloying elements
and their concentrations.

Common microstructures observed in niloy steels include:

Ferrite: A soft, ductile, and low-carbon phase.

Pearlite: A lamellar mixture of ferrite and cementite.

Cementite: A hard, brittle, and high-carbon phase.

Martensite: A hard, brittle, and tetragonal phase.

Bainite: A feathery or acicular microstructure.

Austenite: A high-temperature, face-centered cubic (FCC) phase.

10 Explain the microstructure of medium carbon steel.

Answer:

Medium-carbon steel typically exhibits a microstructure composed of both ferrite and

pearlite. Ferrite is a soft, ductile, and low-carbon phase, while pearlite is a lamellar mixture of
ferrite and cementite.

The relative amounts of ferrite and pearlite in medium-carbon steel depend on the exact
carbon content. As the carbon content increases within

medium-carbon range, the proportion of pearlite increases, leading to a coarser, stronger,

and less ductile microstructure.

The pearlite in medium-carbon steel typically appears as a network surrounding the ferrite
grains. The spacing between the ferrite and cementite lamellae in pearlite can influence the
mechanical properties of the steel. A finer pearlite structure, with narrower lamellae spacing.
generally results in higher strength and hardness

11. List types of microscope.

alkida

Answer:

Optical microscope: Uses visible light to magnify objects.

Electron microscope: Uses a beam of electrons to magnify objects.

Scanning electron microscope (SEM): Produces images by scanning a focused beam of

electrons across the surface of a specimen.

Transmission electron microscope (TEM): Transmits electrons through a tiin specimen to

create an image.

Atomic force microscope (AFM): Measures the interaction between a sharp probe and the
surface of a specimen.

Scanning tunneling microscope (STM): Measures the electrical current

between a sharp probe and the surface of a conductive specimen.

Confocal laser scanning microscope: Uses a laser beam to scan a

specimen and create 3D images,

Phase-contrast microscope: Enhances the contrast of transparent or translucent specimens.

12 Define etching

Answer:

Etching is a process used to selectively remove material from the surface of a specimen to
reveal its microstructure. This is typically done using chemical reagents that react differently
with different components of the material, creating a contrast that makes the microstructure
visible under a microscope.

13. State the meaning of etching agents

Answer:

Etching agents are chemical reagents used to selectively remove material from the surface
of a specimen, revealing its microstructure. They typically react differently with different
components of the material, creating a contrast that makes the microstructure visible under a
microscope.