Guest lecture · UC Merced
Phase Diagrams and Microstructure
A group-centered class connecting binary phase diagrams and quantitative phase fractions to the microstructures produced during materials processing.
The central question
How can a phase diagram help us predict what an alloy will become after processing?
- Binary phase diagrams
- Tie lines
- Lever rule
- Invariant reactions
- Iron–carbon system
- Microstructure
Lesson design
How the class unfolded
Read
Students practiced locating phases, compositions, and transformation boundaries on binary diagrams.
Calculate
Small groups used tie lines and the lever rule to estimate phase compositions and fractions.
Connect
The class linked composition and thermal history to microstructure and expected material behavior.
Assessment & evidence
How learning was made visible
Practice
Guided problemsDiagram-reading and lever-rule prompts built confidence.Collaboration
Group activityTeams explained their phase and fraction choices.Evidence
Worked productsStudent reasoning was visible in activity sheets.Student-response files are summarized here but are not published as downloads, even when responses appear anonymous.
Class materials
Open the teaching files
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