Kinds of Phases in Alloys

Pure metals are not widely used in constructions due to low strength. Alloys
have higher strength and other mechanical properties.
An alloy is a substance having metallic properties and being composed of
two or more chemical elements of which at least one is a metal.
Metallic atoms predominate in an alloy composition and the metallic bond
predominates. The element present in the largest proportion is called the
base metal (solvent), whereas all other elements are considered alloying
elements (solute atoms).
Structure of an alloy could be single or multiphase.

A phase may be defined as a homogenous portion of a system that has

uniform physical and chemical characteristics.
Every pure material is considered to be a phase; so also is every solid, liquid
and gaseous solution. If more than one phase is present in a given system,
each will have its own distinct properties, and a boundary separating the
phases will exist across which there will be a discontinuous and abrupt
change in physical and/or chemical characteristics.
Also, when a substance can exists in two or more polymorphic forms (e.g.
having both fcc and bcc structures), each of the structures is a separate
phase because their respective physical characteristics differ.

Kinds of phases in structure of alloys:

1. Pure metals
a/ chemically pure metals
b/ technically pure metals
c/ allotrophic forms
2. Solid solutions
a/ substitutional
b/ interstitial

3. Intermetallic compounds (Intermediate phases)

Substitutional solution – some of the atoms of the base metals (solvent) are
replaced in their normal lattice sites by solute atoms.
To obtain extensive solid solution (unlimited solubility) the following
general rules must be obeyed:
a/ the difference in atomic radii should be less than 15%,
b/ proximity (nearness) within the periodic table is important (similar
electrochemical potential and the same valency),
c/ the metals must have the same crystal structure.

Interstitial solution – solute atoms are in the voids (holes) between solvent
atoms. The solute atoms must be small relative to the solvent atoms. The
elements like hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon, and boron have radii less
than 0.1 nm and form interstitial solutions.

Intermetallic compounds – some alloys containing two or more metals

posses the ability to form an ordered lattice with simple stoichiometric
proportions, e.g. AB, AB3, A2B3. The nature of atomic bonding vary from
metallic to ionic. The crystalline structure is different from structure of
components.