Q22.69CP
Question
Below ,pure iron crystallizes in a body-centered cubic structure (ferrite) with a density of ; from to , it adopts a face-centered cubic structure (austenite) with a density of . Both types of iron form interstitial alloys with carbon. The maximum amount of carbon is 0.0218mass in ferrite and 2.08mass in austenite. Calculate the density of each alloy.
Step-by-Step Solution
VerifiedThe density of ferrite is .The density of austenite isdata-custom-editor="chemistry"
As a compound or a solution, an alloy is a metallic material made up of two or more elements. The constituents of alloys are usually metals, while carbon, a nonmetal, is an important component of steel.
Smaller atoms (such as carbon, hydrogen, and water) are placed into spaces (interstices) between atoms of the primary element in interstitial alloys. In this case, carbon atoms occupy the vacancies in the iron crystal structure, resulting in a change in density but not in volume.
a) Pure iron crystallises in a body-centered cubic form called ferrite with a density of below . Ferrite can form an interstitial alloy with carbon, resulting in a increase in mass. As previously stated, the volume remains constant, hence the density increases as the amount of carbon in the alloy increases. Let's figure out its density:
Hence, the density is
b)
Between and , iron crystallises as austenite, a face-centered cubic structure with a density of .Austenite can form an interstitial alloy with carbon, resulting in a 2.08% increase in mass. Let's figure out its density:
Therefore, the density is