Materials Science LE #4
a thermodynamic quantity called free
Chapter 9: Phase Diagrams
 Component – pure metals and/or
compounds of which an alloy is
composed.
 System – a specific body of material
under consideration, or it may relate to
the series of possible alloys consisting
of the same components, but without
regard to alloy composition.
 Solubility limit – maximum
concentration of solute atoms that may
dissolve in the solvent to form a solid
solution (ex: sugar-water system).
 Phase – homogenous portion of a
system that has uniform physical and
chemical characteristics.
 If more than one phase is present in a
given system, each will have its own
distinct properties.
 When two phases are present in a
system, it is not necessary that there be
a difference in both physical and
chemical properties (ex: ice and water
system).
 When a substance can exist in two or
more polymorphic forms (having both
FCC & BCC structures), each of these
structures is a separate phase because
their physical characteristics differ.
 Homogenous – single-phase system
 Heterogenous – two or more phases
(ex: ceramic, polymeric, and composite
systems).
 The physical properties and the
mechanical behavior of a material
depend on the microstructure.
 Microstructure – subject to direct
microscopic observation, using optical
or electron microscopes.
 Equilibrium – best described in terms of
energy.
 Free energy – function of the internal
energy of a system, and also the
randomness or disorder of the atoms or
molecules (entropy).
 A system is at equilibrium if its free
energy is at a minimum under some
specified combination of temperature,
pressure, and composition.
 A change in temperature, pressure,
and/or composition from a system in
equilibrium will result in an increase in
the free energy.
 Phase Equilibrium – systems in which
more than one phase may exist.
 Metastable – the state of equilibrium is
never completely achieved because the
rate of approach to equilibrium is
extremely slow.
 Phase diagram – also called as
equilibrium diagram.
 Three externally controllable
parameters that will affect phase
structure: temperature, pressure, and
composition.
 Unary Phase Diagram – one-
component phase diagram, pressure-
temperature diagram; composition is
held constant and temperature and
pressure are variables.
 Binary Phase Diagram – temperature
and composition are variables while
the pressure is held constant (1 atm).
Maps that represent the relationships
between temperature and the
compositions and quantities of phases
at equilibrium.
 The copper-nickel system – possibly the  Liquidus line – line separating the L
easiest type of binary phase diagram to and a + L phase fields; liquid phase is
understand and interpret. present at all temperatures above
this line.
 Solidus line – located between the a
and a + L regions, below which only
the solid phase exists.

9.8 Interpretation of Phase Diagrams

1. Phases Present
 Locate the temperature-
composition point on the diagram
and note the phase/s.
2. Determination of Phase
Compositions
3. Determination of Phase Amounts

 Eutectic – melts and solidifies single

temperature
 Eutectic structure –
 Eutectic phase – phase that resides
in the eutectic structure
 Primary phase – phase that was
formed prior to crossing the
isotherm
 Microconstituent – an element of a
microstructure having an
identifiable and characteristic
structure
 At temperatures below about 1080  Congruent transformation – no
degree Celcius, copper and nickel compositional alterations
are mutually soluble in each other in
the solid state for all compositions.
This complete solubility is explained
by the fact that both Cu and Ni have
the same crystal structure (FCC),
nearly identical atomic radii and
electronegativities, and similar
valences.
 Isnomorphous – example is the
copper-nickel system; complete
liquid and solid solubility of the two
components.