Q22.69CP

Question

Below 912°C,pure iron crystallizes in a body-centered cubic structure (ferrite) with a density of 7.86 g/cm3 ; from912°C to 1394°C, it adopts a face-centered cubic structure (austenite) with a density of7.40 g/cm . 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

Verified
Answer

 The density of ferrite is7.86gcm-3 .The density of austenite isdata-custom-editor="chemistry" 7.55gcm-3 

1Step 1: Concept introduction

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.

2Step 2: Calculating the densityfor (a) part

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 7.86g /cm3of below912°C . Ferrite can form an interstitial alloy with carbon, resulting in a increase 0.0218%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:

ρferritealoy = 7.86gcm - 3×100% + 0.0218% 100% ρferritealoy =7.86gcm - 3

Hence, the density is7.86gcm - 3

 

3Step 3: Calculating the density for (b) part

b) 

Between 912°Cand1394°C , iron crystallises as austenite, a face-centered cubic structure with a density of 7.40gcm-3.Austenite can form an interstitial alloy with carbon, resulting in a 2.08% increase in mass. Let's figure out its density:

ρaustenitealoy = 7.40gcm - 3100% + 2.08% 100% ρaustenitealoy = 7.55gcm - 3

Therefore, the density is7.55gcm - 3