Ferro-electricity

Ferro-electricity

is defined as the spontaneous

alignment of electric dipoles by their mutual interaction
in the absence of an applied electric field.
This arises from the fact that the local field increases in
proportion to the polarization. Thus, ferro-electric
materials must posses permanent dipoles. Ex.: BaTiO3,
Rochelle
salt
(NaKC4H4O6.4H2O),
potassium
dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4), potassium niobate
(KNbO3).
These materials have extremely high dielectric
constants at relatively low applied field frequencies.
Thus, capacitors made from ferro-electric materials are
smaller than capacitors made of other dielectric
materials.

Piezo-electricity
Piezo-electricity,

or pressure electricity, is defined as

polarization induced by the application of external force.
Hence, by reversing the direction of external force, direction of
the field can be reversed i.e. the application of an external
electric field alters the net dipole length and causes a
dimensional change.
This property is characteristic of materials having complicated
structures with a low degree of symmetry.
Thus, piezoelectric materials can be used as transducers
devices that convert mechanical stress into electrical energy
and vice versa.
Application for these materials includes microphones,
ultrasonic generators, sonar detectors, and mechanical strain
gauges. Ex.: Barium titanate, lead titanate, lead zirconate
(PbZrO3), ammoinium dihydrogen phosphate (NH4H2PO4), and
quartz.

IES-1993
Quartz is a
(a) Ferroelectric material
(b) Ferromagnetic material
(c) Piezoelectric material
(d) Diamagnetic material

Welding cracks

Cracks may occur at the following locations :-

(i) In the weld (Fuse) Metal Zone

(ii) In the Base metal zone
(iii) Sometimes, the cracks originate in one
Zone and then spread to the other Zone.

Contd

Cracks in the base metal usually occur at low

temperatures (around 200C) and are known as

Cold cracks.
On the other hand, the cracks in the weld
metal zone occur while the metal is still very
hot. Such cracks are called Hot cracks.
Cracks in the weld may be due to structural
stresses in the metal (for example, the
formation of martensite), heavy shrinkage,
extra high amount of sulphur, phosphorous or
carbon in the metal, excessively rigid clamping
of the parts being welded or the presence of
gases in the weld metal.

Contd

Cold cracking can occur due any to the following

several factors :- improper welding conditions, the

presence of gas and other impurities in the weld,
wrong choice of filler rod and metallurgical factors
such as excessive cooling rate resulting in the
formation of martensite and formation of brittle
phases in the weld when cold or the formation of
phases which are brittle at high temperatures
[Allotropic transformations].
Cracks in the base metal can occur due to the
following reasons :- Corrosion, Base metal defects,
Base metal composition variations, hydrogen
embrittlement and internal stresses set up due to
restrained shrinking after welding.

IES-2005
Hot cracks occur in the weld and fusion zone as
the metal solidifies. Which of the following are
the causes for hot cracks?
1. Presence of sulphur and phosphorus in the base
metal
2. High carbon or alloy content of the base metal
3. Moisture in the joint or electrode
4. Joint restraint
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 4 (b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4 (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

H-embrittlement and Passivity

Hydrogen embrittlement is form of failure than

corrosion,but occurs as a result of hydrogen produced

during corrosion. Atomic hydrogen diffuses into
crystals and inhibits dislocation motion, causing
failure.
Counter measures: heat treatment; removal of
hydrogen source.
Passivity: It is form protection against corrosion. It
results from thin, strong adherent oxide layer formed
over the surface. Usually observed in Al, Cr, Fe, Ni, Ti
and their alloys. Passive layers may get damaged
during mechanical vibrations, and so these metals
are prone to erosion corrosion.

IES-1992
Presence of hydrogen in steel causes
(a) Reduced neutron absorption crosssection
(b) improved weldability
(c) Embrittlement
(d) corrosion resistance

Other questions

IES-2006
In case of power screws, what is the
combination of materials used for the
screw and the nut?
(a) Cast iron screw and mild steel nut
(b) Carbon steel screw and phosphor bronze
nut
(c) Cast iron screw and cast iron nut
(d) Aluminium screw and alloy steel nut

IES-1992
For the pipe fitting like elbow, tee, union
etc. which of the following is preferred?
(a) Pig iron
(b) Malleable iron
(c) Spheroidal graphite cast iron
(d) High carbon steel

IES-1992
Which of the following display properties
similar to that of steel
1. Black-heart cast iron
2. White-heart cast iron
3. Gray cast iron
4. Pig iron
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1 and 3 only

IES-1992
Addition of which of the following
improves machining of copper?
(a) Sulphur
(b) Vanadium
(c) Tin
(d) Zinc

IES-2006
Disruptive strength is the maximum
strength of a metal, when
(a) Subjected to 3 principal tensile stresses
at right angles to one another and of equal
magnitude
(b) Loaded in tension
(c) Loaded in compression
(d) Loaded in shear

IAS-1996
Match List I with List II and select the correct
answer using the codes given below the lists:
List I (Cutting tools) List II (Major constituent)
A. Stellite l. Tungsten
B. H.S.S. 2. Cobalt
C. Ceramic 3. Alumina
D. DCON 4. Columbium
5. Titanium
Codes: A B C D A B C D
(a) 5 1 3 4 (b) 2 1 4 3
(c) 2 1 3 4 (d) 2 5 3 4

IAS-1998
Which of the following methods are suitable
for the production of super alloys?
1. Atomization from molten state using inert gas.
2. Atomization using plasma arc and rotating
electrode.
3. Reduction and crushing.
Select the correct answer using the codes given
below:
Codes:
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3(d) 1, 2 and 3

IES-1996
The limit to the maximum hardness of a
work material which can be machined
with HSS tools even at low speeds is set
by which one of the following tool failure
mechanisms?
(a) Attrition
(b) Abrasion
(c) Diffusion
(d) Plastic deformation under compression.

GATE-2002
The ductility of a material with work
hardening
(a) Increases
(b) Decreases
(c) Remains unaffected (d) Unpredictable

IES-2009
Nano composite materials are highly
preferable in design consideration for
their
(a) High resistance to crack propagation
(b) Vibration resistance
(c) Impact resistance
(d) High resilience

IES-1992
Machine tool frame should have
(a) High rigidity to weight ratio
(b) Graphite in the form of nodules
(c) Low hardness
(d) High work hardness

GATE-1995
Machine tool structures are made
..for high process capability.
(tough/strong/rigid)

IES-2009
Which one of the following possesses the
property of nonsparking character?
(a) Hadfield's manganese steel (b) Spring
steel
(c) Stellite
(d) Invar

JWM 2010

Consider the following properties of

engineering materials
1. Density
2. Conductivity
3. Elasticity
4. Hardness
5. Ductility
Which of these are mechanical properties
of a material ?
(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1, 2, 3 and
4

IES 2011

Materials which show direction dependent

properties are called:
(a) Homogeneous
(b) Visco-elastic
(c) Isotropic
(d) Anisotropic

IES 2011

Lead is widely used in:

(a) Transformers
(b) Switch gear
(c) Galvanized pipes
(d) Batteries

IES 2011
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer
using the code given below the lists :

List I
A. System
B. Phase

List II
1. Free energy is a minimum
2. Chemical elements or chemical
compounds
C. Phase
3. Consists of solids, liquids or gasses
equilibrium
or their combination
D.
4. Homogeneous portion of a system
Codes
Components
that has uniform physical
A B C D A B characteristics
C D
(a)
(c)

2 1 4 3 (b)
2 4 1 3 (d)

3 1 4 2
3 4 1 2

GATE-2005
When the temperature of a solid metal
increases
(a) Strength of the metal decreases but
ductility increases
(b) Both strength and ductility of the metal
decrease
(c) Both strength and ductility of the metal
increase
(d) Strength of the metal increases but
ductility decreases

IAS-1998
Magnesium is extruded and not rolled
because
(a) It has a low melting point
(b) It has a low density
(c) Its reactivity with roll material is high
(d) It has a dose-packed hexagonal structure

IES 2011
Match List I with List II and select the correct
answer using the code given below the lists :

List I
A. Elasticity

List II

1. Deform non elastically without

fracture
B. Malleability 2. Undergo plastic deformation under
tensile load
C. Ductility
3. Undergo plastic deformation under
compressive load
Codes
D. Plasticity
4. Return to its original shape on
A B C D A Bunloading
C D
(a) 1 2 3 4 (b) 4 2 3 1
(c)
1 3 2 4 (d) 4 3 2 1

IES 2011

Injection moulding process used to produce

thermoplastic matrix composites with fibre
reinforcement normally gives:
(a) Short fibre composites
(b) Two layer structure composites
(c) Continuous fibre composites
(d) Single layer composites

IES 2011

Assertion (A) : Solid solutions of metal

are crystal whose properties are close
to those of the solvent.
Reason (R) : They retain the same
crystal lattice and type of bond.
(a) Both A and R are individually true and R
is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are individually true but R
is NOT the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true

IES 2010
The correct statement is
(a) Characteristic of any series of alloys
cannot be found by phase diagram.
(b) Phase diagram does not give amount
of phases which are a function of
composition, temperature and pressure.
(c) The phase may be liquid or vapour
with ordered crystal structure.
(d)
Phase
diagram
provides
the
information on how rapidly equilibrium is

JWM 2010

Assertion (A) : Electric arc furnace can be

used for acid and basic method of steel
making.
Reason (R) : Impurities are eliminated
extensively in acid are process.

IES 2010
Consider the following:
1. Water
2. Ice
3. Brine solution
4. Oil
Which of these is/are used as
quenching media in case of Alloy
steels?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 2, 3 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) Only

The End