UEME 1122 MATERIAL SCIENCE

Tutorial 6
1. In general, there are four classes of steels. Please list them out and briefly describe

the properties and typical applications.

2. (a)

(b)
(c)

What is the function of alloying elements in tool steels?

Why ferrous alloys are used so extensively?
Briefly explain the difference between hardness and hardenability.

Solution:
The alloying elements in tool steels (e.g. Cr, V, W and Mo) combine with the
carbon to form very hard and wear-resistant carbide compounds
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

Iron ores exist in abundant quantities,

economical extraction, refining, and fabrication techniques are available
the alloys may be tailored to have a wide range of properties

Hardness is a measure of a materials resistance to localized surface deformation,

whereas hardenability is a measure of the depth to which a ferrous alloy may be
hardened by the formation of martensite. Hardenability is determined from
hardness test.

3. For each of the following pairs of polymers, do the following: (1) state whether or
not it is possible to decide whether one polymer has a higher tensile modulus than
the other; (2) if this is possible, note which has the higher tensile modulus and
then cite the reason(s) for your choice; and (3) if it is not possible to decide, then
state why.
(a) Random acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer with 10% of possible sites
crosslinked; alternating acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer with 5% of
possible sites crosslinked
(b) Branched and syndiotactic polypropylene with a degree of polymerization of
5000; linear and isotactic polypropylene with a degree of polymerization of
3000
(c) Branched polyethylene with a number-average molecular weight of 250,000
g/mol; linear and isotactic poly(vinyl chloride) with a number-average
molecular weight of 200,000 g/mol

4. For each of the following pairs of polymers, do the following: (1) state whether or
not it is possible to determine whether one polymer has a higher melting
temperature than the other; (2) if it is possible, note which has the higher melting
temperature and then cite reason(s) for your choice; and (3) if it is not possible to
decide, then state why.
3
(a) Isotactic polystyrene that has a density of 1.12 g/cm and a weight-average
molecular weight of 150,000 g/mol; syndiotactic polystyrene that has a
3
density of 1.10 g/cm and a weight-average molecular weight of 125,000g/mol
(b) Linear polyethylene that has a degree of polymerization of 5,000; linear and
isotactic polypropylene that has a degree of polymerization of 6,500
(c) Branched and isotactic polystyrene that has a degree of polymerization of
4,000; linear and isotactic polypropylene that has a degree of
polymerization of 7,500

5. (a) Explain why borosilicate glasses and fused silica are resistance to thermal
shock.
(b) For refractory ceramic materials, cite three characteristics that improve with
and two characteristics that are adversely affected by increasing porosity.
Solution:
(a) Because they have relatively low coefficients of thermal expansion;
therefore, upon heating or cooling, the difference in the degree of
expansion or contraction across a cross-section of a ware that is
constructed from these materials will be relatively low
(b) For refractory ceramic materials, three characteristics that improve with
increasing porosity are (1) decreased thermal expansion and contraction
upon thermal cycling, (2) improved thermal insulation, and (3) improved
resistance to thermal shock. Two characteristics that are adversely
affected are (1) load-bearing capacity and (2) resistance to attack by
corrosive materials.

6. For a polymer-matrix fiber-reinforced composite,

(a) List three functions of the matrix phase.
(b) Compare the desired mechanical characteristics of matrix and fiber phases.
(c) Cite two reasons why there must be a strong bond between fiber and
matrix at their interface.

7. (a) What is the distinction between matrix and dispersed phases in a composite
material?
(b) Contrast the mechanical characteristics of matrix and dispersed phases
for fiber-reinforced composites.