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Binary Solid-Liquid Phase Diagrams: Chemistry 360 Spring 2017 Dr. Jean M. Standard
Binary Solid-Liquid Phase Diagrams: Chemistry 360 Spring 2017 Dr. Jean M. Standard
Spring 2017
Dr. Jean M. Standard
April 14, 2017
Introduction
Previously, we have explored the P-x and T-x liquid-vapor phase diagrams of binary systems. A typical T-x solid-
liquid phase diagram of a binary system is illustrated in Figure 1. Note that P-x phase diagrams are not
particularly useful for solid-liquid phase diagrams due to the low vapor pressure of most solids. For the solid-liquid
binary system illustrated in Figure 1, it has been assumed that the liquid phase is completely miscible, while the
solid phase is completely immiscible (a common situation). Also note that though the position of the point labeled
"eutectic" is shown at a mole fraction of approximately 0.5 in this figure, the eutectic composition may be larger or
smaller than this for specific systems.
T*fus,A
L
T*fus,B
Eutectic
L+SA
L + SB
T
SA + SB
0 1
xA
Figure 1. Typical solid-liquid T-x phase diagram of a binary system.
At high temperatures, the phase diagram indicates the presence of a single liquid phase, consisting of a mixture of
the two components. At low temperatures, below the point labeled "eutectic" on the diagram, the system consists of
two separate solid phases: the solid phase of pure component A and the solid phase of pure component B. In
between the high and low temperature regimes, the phase diagram indicates that the system consists of a single
liquid phase in equilibrium with either pure component A or pure component B in the solid phase.
As the system is cooled from the liquid phase with a composition to the left of the eutectic point, the phase diagram
shows that pure B freezes out of solution; thus, as the temperature is lowered, the liquid phase becomes enriched in
component A. Once the system is cooled to the eutectic temperature, component A also freezes.
Tie Line L
T1 L+SA
L + SB
SA + SB
0 1
xA
Composition of solid phase
Composition of liquid phase
Figure 2. Tie line indicating composition of solid and liquid phases at temperature T1 for a system
rich in component B.
As the system is cooled from the liquid phase with a composition to the right of the eutectic point, the phase
diagram shows that pure A freezes out of solution; therefore, in this case as the temperature is lowered, the liquid
phase becomes enriched in component B. Finally, once the system is cooled to the eutectic temperature, component
B also freezes.
Tie Line
L
T1
L + SB L+SA
SA + SB
0 1
xA Composition of liquid phase
Composition of solid phase
Figure 3. Tie line indicating composition of solid and liquid phases at temperature T1 for a system
rich in component A.
3
Note that the phase diagram in Figure 4 is cut off on the right side (that is, it should extend to 100 wt% NaCl) so that
the regions of interest with respect to sea water temperatures are more easily visible. The eutectic temperature is –
6ºF.