Problem ME4.1.

   Maraging steel is an alloy, Fe₃Ni, that forms a face-centered cubic unit cell. It is used for high-strength applications such as in the forging of fencing swords (ep�es).

a) Draw a cube.

b) Add circles to denote atoms in a face-centered cubic array.

c) Calculate the number of atoms in the unit cell (always show work).

 d) Shade in selected atoms in the unit cell to give a 3:1 ratio of iron:nickel in the unit cell.

e) Add a legend with shaded and non-shaded circles so that it is clear which circle represents which atom.

f) Face centered cubic can also be thought of as forming hexagonal layers. The layers alternate to give which pattern?

ABABAB or ABCABCABC

 g)  In the cubic diagram you made, put a letter beside each atom to indicate which of those layers (A or B or C) it is found in.

h) Why does the addition of nickel to the steel make the material more difficult to bend or break?

This site was written by Chris P. Schaller, Ph.D., College of Saint Benedict / Saint John's University (retired) with contributions from other authors as noted.  It is freely available for educational use.

Structure & Reactivity in Organic, Biological and Inorganic Chemistry by Chris Schaller is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported License. 

Send corrections to cschaller@csbsju.edu

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