|Metallurgy for Non-Metallurgist

1.9 Conditions for solubility in solid solution

For very good solubility of one element in another element(successful alloying),
the following condition must be met. These conditions are known as “Hume-
Rothery Rule”.

For Substitutional Solid Solution

 The difference in atomic radius(atom size) between solvent and solute
atoms should not be more than 15%.
 The crystal structure of solvent and solute should be same
 The solute and solvent should have similar electronegativity. If the
electronegativity difference is too great, the metals tend to
form intermetallic compounds instead of solid solutions
 Complete solubility occurs when the solvent and solute have the
same valency. A metal is more likely to dissolve a metal of higher valency,
than vice versa
For Interstitial Solid Solution
 Solute atoms should have a smaller radius than 59% of the radius of
solvent atoms.
 The solute and solvent should have similar electronegativity.
 Valency factor: two elements should have the same valence. The greater
the difference in valence between solute and solvent atoms, the lower the
solubility.

The solubility decreases, when deviation from these conditions increases.

1.10 Difference between Alloy and Compound

In a chemical compound, the bonding is chemical in nature i.e., either Covalent

(sharing of electrons, eg-water) or ionic(attraction between oppositely charged ions,
eg-NaCl) and it results in a formation of molecule. But in case of alloy no molecules
are formed and the bonding is of metallic in nature, which is described in the next
chapter in detail.

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