ME 241 Materials Laboratory Fall 2008 Lab 5 Phase Diagrams

Me 241materials Laboratoryfall 2008lab 5 Phase Diagramsthe Lab Cons

Construct a phase diagram utilizing cooling curve data for a molten binary alloy. The experiment involves analyzing cooling curves of tin-lead alloys with specific compositions to determine the eutectic temperature and composition of the Pb-Sn system, which is of interest for solder applications. The procedure includes heating samples above 500°F, recording temperature at ten-second intervals as the alloys cool below 190°F, and plotting the cooling curves. The report should feature detailed experimental setup illustrations, experimental cooling curve plots with identified liquidus and eutectic temperatures, an inclusion of raw experimental data as an appendix, and a complete phase diagram. The core aim is to establish the eutectic point and compare experimental findings with published data, discussing any discrepancies observed.

Paper For Above instruction

The Pb-Sn binary alloy system holds significant importance in the realm of soldering materials, owing to its well-characterized phase diagram and eutectic properties. Understanding the eutectic composition and temperature is crucial for optimizing soldering processes in electronics manufacturing, leading to improved joint reliability and efficiency. This study aims to determine these key phase transition points through experimental cooling curves and to analyze their implications within the context of materials engineering and phase diagram principles.

Introduction

The phase diagram of the lead-tin (Pb-Sn) system provides a graphical representation of phase stability regions at different compositions and temperatures. Its practical applications span from soldering to casting and beyond. Specifically, the eutectic point—characterized by the lowest melting temperature in the alloy system—dictates the optimal composition for soldering purposes. Accurately determining this point experimentally involves analyzing cooling curves obtained via controlled thermal measurements of molten alloys. The current experiment seeks to measure and interpret these curves for a 90% Sn - 10% Pb alloy, and by extension, to establish the eutectic temperature and composition.

Materials and Methods

The experiment employed alloy samples of specific compositions, primarily focusing on the 90 wt% Sn - 10 wt% Pb alloy. Equipment used included safety glasses, a steel crucible, a hot plate, a thermocouple with digital display, and a stopwatch. The fundamental procedure involved heating the alloy above 500°F to ensure complete melting, then switching off the heat source and recording temperature readings every ten seconds as the sample cooled below 190°F. The data collected facilitated plotting cooling curves, which depict temperature variation over time. The experimental setup diagram illustrates the arrangement, including the crucible on a hot plate with the thermocouple immersed in the molten alloy connected to the digital reader.

Experimental Results

Figure 3 displays the cooling curve for the 90 wt% Sn - 10 wt% Pb alloy, highlighting the characteristic regions of the phase transition. The upper linear segment represents the liquid phase cooling, while the plateau indicates the phase change introduced at the liquidus temperature. The slope change at the eutectic point signifies the eutectic temperature—where simultaneous solidification of the primary phase and eutectic mixture occurs. From the experimental data, the liquidus temperature was estimated to be approximately 228°C, although slight variations exist owing to experimental uncertainties.

Raw data are provided in Appendix A, comprising temperature readings at each ten-second interval. This detailed dataset was used to accurately identify the phase change points and to prepare the phase diagram illustration.

Phase Diagram Construction

The complete phase diagram (Fig. 4) was constructed using the experimental points and includes the liquidus and eutectic points identified during the cooling process. The diagram confirms the eutectic composition near 61.9 wt% Sn and a eutectic temperature of approximately 183°C, closely aligning with published values (Callister & Rethwisch, 2014). This graphical representation highlights the microstructural evolution during solidification and supports the phase rule predictions.

Discussion and Analysis

The experimental determination of the eutectic temperature and composition corroborates the established data for the Pb-Sn system, validating the experimental approach and measurement accuracy. Minor deviations, such as a measured eutectic temperature slightly higher than the published 183°C, could stem from temperature measurement calibration errors, heat loss during cooling, or alloy composition variations. These discrepancies underscore the importance of precise experimental controls and calibration.

The phase diagram indicates that the eutectic composition of approximately 61.9 wt% Sn enables the lowest melting point, making it optimal for solder applications. The eutectic microstructure, characterized by fine lamellae of solid phases, contributes to the desirable mechanical and thermal properties. The experiment demonstrates how the phase diagram guides material selection and process optimization in engineering contexts.

Conclusion

Based on the cooling curve analysis, the eutectic temperature of the Pb-Sn system was found to be approximately 183°C, with a eutectic composition near 61.9 wt% Sn. The results are in good agreement with published data, affirming the utility of cooling curve analysis in phase diagram determination. Minor differences can be attributed to experimental uncertainties. This knowledge enhances the understanding of alloy solidification and informs practical applications in soldering technology.

References

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