Material Science Practice Test: Phase Transformations in Metals — Flashcards

Phase Transformations in Metals topics include: Phase transformations in kinetics and iron carbon systems, time temperature transformation curves, iron carbon alloys and cooling transformation diagrams.

A phase transformation in metals is a change in the structure of the metal's crystal lattice. This can occur due to changes in temperature, pressure, or chemical composition. 

Phase transformations can significantly affect the metal's properties, including hardness, toughness, and ductility. 
Physical metallurgy is the branch of metallurgy related to the theory of phase transformations in metal and alloys. It deals mainly with mechanical and magnetic/electric/thermal properties of metals. 

Here are some examples of phase transformations:
Nucleation: When phase transformation in the metal occurs, nucleation appears in the molten metal in the form of tiny solid particles, called nuclei. These nuclei are created from the deposition of atoms and grow into the form of crystal.
Precipitation: It is also a kind of phase transformation. The second phase product is called precipitate, and the original phase is matrix. In most alloys, these precipitates are very small, so small that you have to use microscope to see them. These precipitates often increase the strength of materials.
Bainitic transformation: It is a first order thermodynamic reaction, so the parent and product phase can coexist.
Massive transformation: Diffusion-controlled phase changes in pure metals that can exist in more than one allotropic form can often be considered massive transformations.

Related Test: Material Science Practice Test: Mechanical Properties of Metals