By: H.P.D.U.Iroshani (Bsc.

Eng)
University of Moratuwa
Solid metals and alloys are crystalline and the constituent
atoms are arranged in a regular, repetitive pattern, referred to
as a crystal space lattice.
In a space lattice atoms are placed at the intersection of a 3D
network of line as shown.

The smallest unit that represent a crystal structure is called a unit

Cell.
Three crystal types commonly found in metals are;
 Body centered cubic (BCC)
 Face centered cubic (FCC)
 Hexagonal close-packed (HCP)

Body centered cubic (BCC) system

This has a cubic unit cell with atoms located at all eight
corners and a single atom at the cube center.
Ex: Chromium, Iron, Tungsten
Face centered cubic (FCC) system
This has a unit cell of cubic geometry, with atoms located at
each of the corners and the center of all cube faces.
Ex: Copper, Aluminum, Silver, Gold
Hexagonal close-packed (HCP) system
 The top and bottom faces of the unit cell consist of six
atoms that form regular hexagons and surround a single
atom in the center.
 Another plane has three atoms to the unit cell is situated
between top & bottom planes.
Number of equivalent atoms in a unit cells
BCC – ((8*1/8) +1) = 2 atoms
FCC – ((8*1/8) + (6*1/2)) = 4 atoms
HCP – ((12*1/6) + (2*1/2)+3) = 6 atoms

Relationship between lattice parameter “a” and atomic

radius “R”

BCC
a = 4R/ √3

FCC
a = 4R/ √2