Solid Solutions

Prof. H. K. Khaira

Professor, Deptt. of MSME

M.A.N.I.T., Bhopal
 Phases in Metals
Phase: a state of matter that is
uniform throughout in chemical
composition and physical state.
(Gibbs)
It is a physically distinct and
mechanically separable mass of
matter.
 Phases in Metals
The following phases may be present in
metals in solid state.

1. Solid solution
2. Intermetallic compound
 Phases in Metals
Solid solution - When in a solid, the atoms
of solute are present in the lattice of the
solvent, it is known as solid solution.

Intermetallic compound a compound formed

by two or more metals such as AlLi.
 Solid solution
When in a solid, the atoms of solute are present
in the lattice of the solvent, it is known as solid
solution.
solid-state solution of one or more solutes in a
solvent.
It is considered a solution rather than a
compound when the crystal structure of the
solvent remains unchanged by addition of the
solutes.
 The solid solutions can be of two types.

1. Substitutional solid solution

2. Interstitial solid solution
 Substitutional solid solution
When the atoms of solute substitute for
the atoms of the solvent in its lattice, the
solution is known as Substitutional solid
solution.

The solute may incorporate into the

solvent crystal lattice substitutionally by
replacing a solvent particle in the lattice.
 Substitutional solid solution

Substitutional solid solution

Substitutional
element replaces host atoms
in its lattice

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 Substitutional solid solution
Substitutional solid solutions can be of two
types

1. Ordered solid solution

2. Disordered solid solution
 Ordered solid solution
If the atoms of the solute occupy certain
preferred sites in the lattice of the solvent,
an ordered solid solution is formed. It may
ocure only at certain fixed ratios of the
solute and solvent atoms.
In Cu Au system, Cu atoms occupying
the face-centered sites and Au atoms
occupying the corner sites of the FCC unit
cell.
 Ordered Substitutional solid solution

Ordered Substitutional solid solution

Substitutional
element replaces host atoms
in an orderly arrangement

e.g., Ni-Al, Al-(Li,Zr)

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 Disordered solid solution
If the atoms of the solute are present
randomly in the lattice of the solute, it is
known as disordered solid solution.
Most of the solid solutions are disordered
solid solutions
 Interstitial solid solution
When the atoms of the solute occupy the
interstitial spaces in the lattice of the solvent, it is
known as Interstitial solid solution.
If the size of the solute is less than 40% that of
solvent, interstitial solid solution may be formed.
The solute may incorporate into the solvent crystal
lattice interstitially, by fitting into the space
between solvent particles.
Only H, Li, Na and B form interstitial solid solution.
Interstitial solid solution

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