MSE logo at the University of Arizona
Materials Science and Engineering
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

MSE 455/555 - Physical Metallurgy and Processing of Steel
Spring Semester

2000-2001 Catalog Data: MSE 455 - Physical Metallurgy and Processing of Alloys (3) I Brief review of metallic crystal structures, application of binary diagrams, equilibrium and nonequilibrium solidification, effects of alloy elements on important transormations in steel, isothermal transformation diagrams and continuous cooling diagrams. Processing aspects include heat treating, heat transfer during cooling and quenching, segregation effects, and surface hardening technifques. 3R. 2ES, 1ED. P, MSE 331R, or MSE 380, and MSE 409 or AME 442. May be convened with MSE 555.

Textbook:

None

Reference:

  1. R.E. Reed-Hill and R. Abbaschian: Physical Metallurgy Principles, 3rd ed., PWS-Kent, Boston, MA 1992, Chaps. 18 and 19.
  2. A.K. Sinha: Ferrous Physical Metallurgy, Buttersworths Publ., Boston, MA, 1989, Chaps 11 and 12.
  3. An Introduction to Iron and Steel Processing, Kawasaki Steel 21st Century Foundation, 1997

Instructor:

D.R. Poirier, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering

Goals:

The major goal of the course is to require the students to draw on their previous courses on the fundamental aspects of materials (transformations, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena) and integrate that knowledge to "open-ended" situations> Steel is an ideal materials to study because there is ample quanititative information available to develop a strong processing thread in the course. Other goals are to improve the computational and writing skills of the students by requireing computer work and a written report. The students also learn about modern methods of iron and steelmaking and the processing of steel.

Prerequisites by Topic:

  1. Structure and properties of materials
  2. Thermodynamics
  3. Transport phenomena

Course Topics (Class Hours):

  1. Dendritic solidification (4)
  2. Iron-carbon system (2)
  3. Transformations and microconstituents in steel: pearlite, ferrite, bainite, martensite, tempered martensite (8)
  4. Transformation diagrams (TTT and CCT) (8)
  5. Heat treatments for hardening and tempering (8)
  6. Kinetics/heat transfer in controlled cooling (7)
  7. Applications for steel (1)
  8. Production of rion and steel

Computer Usage:

  1. Prepare a program to calculate microsegregation during solidification of binary alloys
  2. Simulation of the controlled cooling of wire-rod. The students must select the process conditions to achieve certain goals (production rate, mechanical properties, cooling condition, process temperature, etc.)

Laboratory Projects:

  1. Thermal analysis and microstructures in hot-rolled steel
  2. Isothermal transformation of a low alloy steel

    3. (Written report on second project with critical feedback.)

Assessment of Course Goals:

  1. Midterm in-class examination (optional)
  2. Final examination (required)
  3. Evaluations of laboratory project and solidification calculations
  4. Competition on controlled cooling of wire-rod
  5. *Note: Graduate-Level: Requirements include a research term paper or computer model.

Contribution to Professional Component:

Engineering Science: 2 units
Engineering Design: 1 unit


Return to MSE Curriculum

To submit questions or comments, please e-mail the at: MSE Dept. Webmaster