Phase Diagrams

Lecture 8
Phase

Binary phase diagrams Eutectic

Phase
phase is a region/part of the system throughout which all physical and chemical properties are uniform: homogeneous A phase is not a state of matter! Different phases may exist within a single state of matter.

Phase Diagrams
Phase Diagrams indicate the present phases at a given temperature & composition! (C/K vs. wt %) An alloy is a homogeneous mixture or metallic solid solution composed of two or more elements. Phase diagram is a MAP giving info about the phases/microstructure of an alloy at given temperature & composition. Binary systems: 2 components A binary phase diagram is a phase diagram of two elements.

Binary Systems
Cu-Ni binary system (alloy) Melting temperatures of pure elements L is a liquid solution of melted Cu & Ni = single phase Liquidus line & Solidus line is a solid solution : solid Cu + solid Ni = single phase

+ L : two-phase part on the phase diagram

Lever Rule
The lever rule is used find the fractions of phases in any two-phase region for a binary alloy if the temperature and composition are known.

wL

C C0 C C L

C0 C L C C L

Microstructure
a. Liquid (35% Ni) b. Liquidus line solid particles begin to form in the liquid liquid: 35% Ni; :? c. Two-phase region more particles forming (growing) less liquid composition of phases? d. Solidus line almost all particles with a little of the liquid phase left : 35% Ni, liquid:? e. Solid particles (35% Ni)

Example 1
1 6 1 - melting temp of pure Ni (~1440 C) 2 - melting temp of 50% Ni 3 - Liquidus line 4 - melting temp of pure Cu (~1090 C) 5 - Solidus line 6 - solidification temp of 50% Ni A - L (liquid), 30% Ni B - + L: fraction of phases: 4
wL w C C0 0.35 0.3 0.33 C C L 0.35 0.2 C0 C L 0.3 0.2 0.67 C C L 0.35 0.2

3
2

C - (solid), 30 % Ni

Eutectic Systems
More complex mixtures of elements sometimes exhibit solidification at a single temperature like a pure element. This is called the eutectic point. Eutectic point : temperature & composition at which the eutectic reaction occurs. Eutectic line : constant temperature line through the eutectic point (isotherm).

Binary Eutectic Systems without Solid Solutions

Binary Eutectic Systems

One liquid phase: L Two solid phases : &
Maximum solid solubility Solvus line Point E: eutectic point At the temperature TE, the liquid phase L is transformed into two solid phases & upon cooling Eutectic composition: L : 71.9% Ag : 8.0% Ag : 91.2% Ag

Example 2
a. Define all the phases on the Al-Si phase diagram b. Find the melting temperatures of pure Al & Si c. Find the maximum solid solubility of Si in Al and of Al in Si d. Find the eutectic composition and temperature e. Draw microstructure sketches and define phases along the red & green lines f. Find composition at point X

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