EMM 3122

Engineering Materials
Chap. 5: Phase Diagrams

Dr. Che Nor Aiza Jaafar

Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Department
Engineering Faculty
University Putra Malaysia (UPM)
 CNAIZA
Introduction
Phase: A region in a material that differs in structure and
function from other regions. It is homogeneous portion, has
uniform physical and chemical characteristics. (e.g., a and b).
 A single phase system : homogeneous.
 Two or more phases : mixtures or heterogeneous system.
 Microstructure: It is subject to direct microscopic observation
using optical & electron microscopes.

b(lighter
phase)
Al-Cu alloy
a (darker
phase)
 Components
• Components:
The elements or compounds which are present in the alloy
(e.g., Al and Cu)

Aluminum- b (lighter
Copper
phase)
Alloy

a (darker
phase)

Chapter 9 - 3
 Phase Equilibria: Solubility Limit
• Solution – solid, liquid, or gas solutions, single phase
• Mixture – more than one phase Adapted from Fig. 9.1,
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

Sugar/Water Phase Diagram

• Solubility Limit: 100
Maximum concentration for Solubility

Temperature (ºC)
which only a single phase 80 Limit L
solution exists. (liquid)
60 +
L
Question: What is the 40 (liquid solution S
solubility limit for sugar in i.e., syrup) (solid
water at 20ºC? 20 sugar)

0 20 40 60 80 100

Sugar
Water

C = Composition (wt% sugar)

Chapter 9 - 4
Phase diagrams & Components
Phase diagrams:

 Represent the phases present in materials system at

various temp. (T), composition C), and pressure (P).
 Indicates equilibrium solid solubility of one element in
another.
 Indicates temperature range under which solidification
occurs.
 Indicates temperature at which different phases start to
melt.
 Effect of Temperature & Composition
• Altering T can change # of phases: path ? to ?.
• Altering C can change # of phases: path ? to ?.
B (100ºC,C = 70) D (100ºC,C = 90)
1 phase 2 phases
100

80 L
Temperature (ºC)

(liquid)
water- 60 +
sugar L S
system (liquid solution (solid
40 i.e., syrup) sugar)
20 A (20ºC,C = 70)
2 phases
Adapted from Fig. 9.1, 0
Callister & Rethwisch 8e. 0 20 40 60 70 80 100
C = Composition (wt% sugar)
Chapter 9 - 6
 Criteria for Solid Solubility

Simple system (e.g., Ni-Cu solution)

Crystal electroneg r (nm)

Structure
Ni FCC 1.9 0.1246
Cu FCC 1.8 0.1278

• Both have the same crystal structure (FCC) and have

similar electronegativities and atomic radii (W. Hume –
Rothery rules) suggesting high mutual solubility.
• Ni and Cu are totally soluble in one another for all proportions.

Chapter 9 - 7
 Phase Diagram of Pure Substances
• Pure substance (e.g: water) can exist in solid, liquid and vapor
Torr = mmHg
• During boiling of water 
liquid of water and

• At low P (4.579 torr) and

temp (0.0098 ºC)  3 phases
are in equilibrium - triple
point (or invariant point).

Chapter 9 -
 Phase Diagram of Pure Substances
• 3 separate & distinct solid phases:
alpha (α) Fe, Gamma ( ) Fe and
delta () Fe.

• Three triple point (or

invariant point)  3 Different
phases coexist:

 ???
 ???
 ???

Chapter 9 -
 Phase Diagrams
• Indicate phases as a function of T, C, and P.
• For this course:
- binary systems: just 2 components.
- independent variables: T and C (P = 1 atm is almost always used).
T(ºC)
Phase
1600 • 2 phases:
Diagram L (liquid)
1500
for Cu-Ni L (liquid) a (FCC solid solution)
system 1400 • 3 different phase fields:
L
1300 L+a
a
1200 a
1100
(FCC solid
solution)
1000
0 20 40 60 80 100 wt% Ni Chapter 9 -
 Isomorphous Binary Phase Diagram
• Phase diagram: T(ºC)
Cu-Ni system. 1600

• System is: 1500 L (liquid) Cu-Ni

-- binary phase
i.e., 2 components: 1400
diagram
Cu and Ni.
1300
-- isomorphous
i.e., complete 1200 a
solubility of one
component in 1100
(FCC solid
another; a phase solution)
field extends from 1000
0 to 100 wt% Ni.
0 20 40 60 80 100 wt% Ni

Chapter 9 - 11
 The Lever Rule
• Tie line – connects the phases in equilibrium with
each other – also sometimes called an isotherm
T(ºC) What fraction of each phase?
tie line
Think of the tie line as a lever
1300 L (liquid)
(teeter-totter)
B
TB ML Ma
a
1200 (solid)
R S

20 30CL R S
C0 40 Ca 50

wt% Ni Ma x S  ML x R
Adapted from Fig. 9.3(b),
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

ML S C  C0 R C  CL
WL    a Wa   0
M L  M a R  S C a  CL R  S C a  CL
 Chapter 9 - 12
TERIMA KASIH

Chapter 9 -