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Material Defects

This document discusses defects in engineering materials including point defects like vacancies and interstitial atoms, line defects like dislocations, and diffusion. It explains that all crystals contain defects which affect material properties. Point defects include vacancies where an atom is missing from its lattice site, self-interstitials where an atom occupies an interstitial void, and impurities or alloying elements. Line defects are dislocations which result from processing and allow materials to deform plastically. Diffusion, the atomic transport process, occurs via vacancies or interstitial sites and is influenced by temperature and material properties. Solid solutions are homogeneous alloys formed by dissolving a solute into a solvent crystal structure.

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57 views

Material Defects

This document discusses defects in engineering materials including point defects like vacancies and interstitial atoms, line defects like dislocations, and diffusion. It explains that all crystals contain defects which affect material properties. Point defects include vacancies where an atom is missing from its lattice site, self-interstitials where an atom occupies an interstitial void, and impurities or alloying elements. Line defects are dislocations which result from processing and allow materials to deform plastically. Diffusion, the atomic transport process, occurs via vacancies or interstitial sites and is influenced by temperature and material properties. Solid solutions are homogeneous alloys formed by dissolving a solute into a solvent crystal structure.

Uploaded by

shanecarl
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Engineering Materials & Design

2nd Semester
Imperfections in Materials Phase Diagrams Metals, Polymers, Ceramics, Semiconductors

Mechanical, Thermal & Electrical Properties


Strengthening Mechanisms

Material Defects

Lecture 7
Point Defects

Dislocations Solid Solutions

Imperfections in Solids
There is no such a thing as a perfect crystal! In general, a defect simply refers to a disruption in the crystalline order of an otherwise periodic material.

Properties of a material are significantly affected by defects. Defect does not necessarily imply a bad thing. Every material has vacancies and impurities, to some extent.
Types of defects: 1.Point defects 2. Line defects Vacancy atoms Dislocations Interstitial atoms Substitutional atoms

3. Surface/Area defects

Point Defects
vacancy = a lattice site that is missing an atom
All crystals contain some vacancies.

self-interstitial = an atom from the crystal that crowds its way into an otherwise empty void between atoms
Self-interstitials are far less common than vacancies because of the relatively large energy required to squeeze an atom into the small voids between existing sites.

impurity = addition of an atom of a different species substitution impurity or interstitial impurity alloys = other types of atoms are deliberately added to give the material certain properties

Example

(b) Pure material (c) Interstitial alloy (a) & (d) Substitutional alloys

Line Defects
DISLOCATIONS
Dislocations result from solidification of metal, mechanical or thermal processing, etc. It is very difficult to prepare a dislocation-free crystal!!! 2 Types of dislocations: Edge dislocations Screw dislocations Dislocations make metals weaker BUT also allow metals to be deformed. Edge dislocation is an extra half-plane of atoms inserted in a crystal. That extra half plane causes misalignment of other atomic planes. Dislocations can move through the material!

Example

Introduction to dislocations

Diffusion
Diffusion is the mass transport through atomic motion at high temperatures.

Self-diffusion: In an elemental solid, atoms also migrate.

C A D B

Inter - Diffusion
Interdiffusion occurs spontaneously!

Thermal energy supplied (heat) causes atoms to vibrate. In solids when vibrations are sufficient, bonds rupture and the atom is free to diffuse. Rate of diffusion depends on: concentration & temperature !

Diffusion
The presence of vacancies allows substitutional diffusion = atoms have empty space to move to.

In interstitial diffusion atoms need energy to squeeze past fixed atoms. Much faster: more empty sites, no vacancies needed

ALLOY = a solid solution of one or more elements within a metallic element Solute + Solvent = Solution
Solute the substance that dissolves to form a solution Solvent the substance in which a solute dissolves Solution a mixture of one or more solutes dissolved in a solvent

Solutions

Liquid (Standard) Solution


Type Example Limitations Separation?

Solid Solution Solid + Solid Alloys

Liquid Liquid Liquid ++ + Solid Solid Solid Water Water + + sugar/salt sugar/salt Yes

Liquid Liquid Liquid ++ + Liquid Liquid Liquid

No

YES!

DEPENDS ON CONCENTRATION

Solid Solution
Solid Solution = a homogeneous distribution of two or more elements. Solvent is the host material (compound present in the greatest amount) Solute is the minor phase, added to the solvent Phase is a region of uniform composition or crystal structure

IN THE SOLID STATE!

solute atoms dont alter the crystal structure of the solvent = same phase! = solid solubility!

Solid solution is a particular type of alloy : substitutional and interstitial

Diffusion in Solid Solutions


Properties of diffusing species (solute) and host material (solvent) are important.
smaller atoms can squeeze in between host atoms more easily (interstitial)

in lower packing density host material (less neighbouring atoms) it is easier for atoms to migrate because there are fewer bonds to be ruptured
solids with lower melting points normally contain weaker bonds (easier to push apart) Temperature!

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