Often the properties of multiphase alloys may be approximated by the relation E (alloy) = EaVa + EbVb Where Ex and Vx are the modulus (or hardness) and volume filling fraction of the respective phase x.
Employ the relationship above to determine the approximate Brinell hardness of a 99.75 wt% Fe 0.25 wt% C alloy. Assume Brinell hardness of 80 and 280 for ferrite and pearlite, respectively, and assume that volume fractions may be approximated by mass fractions.