Chapter 9 - 1

Chapter 9: Phase Diagrams

ISSUES TO ADDRESS...
• When we combine two elements...
what is the resulting equilibrium state?
• In particular, if we specify...
-- the composition (e.g., wt% Cu - wt% Ni), and
-- the temperature (T)
then...
How many phases form?
What is the composition of each phase?
What is the amount of each phase?

Phase A Phase B

Nickel atom
Copper atom Chapter 9 - 2
 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)

Answer: 65 wt% sugar.

0 20 40 6065 80 100
At 20ºC, if C < 65 wt% sugar: syrup

Sugar
Water

C = Composition (wt% sugar)

At 20ºC, if C > 65 wt% sugar:
syrup + sugar Chapter 9 - 3
 Components and Phases
• Components:
The elements or compounds which are present in the alloy
(e.g., Al and Cu)
• Phases:
The physically and chemically distinct material regions
that form (e.g., a and b).

Aluminum- b (lighter
Copper
phase)
Alloy

a (darker
Adapted from chapter-
opening photograph,
phase)
Chapter 9, Callister,
Materials Science &
Engineering: An
Introduction, 3e.

Chapter 9 - 4
 Effect of Temperature & Composition
• Altering T can change # of phases: path A to B.
• Altering C can change # of phases: path B to D.
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 - 5
 One-Component (Unary)
Phase Diagram
• Simples and easiest type of phase diagram.
• One-component system:
- the composition is held constant
- independent variables: T and P
Pressure –
Temperature
Phase
Diagram
for Water
Adapted from Fig. 9.2,
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

Chapter 9 - 6
 Binary 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 Adapted from Fig. 9.3(a), Callister &
Rethwisch 8e. (Fig. 9.3(a) is adapted from
1100
(FCC solid Phase Diagrams of Binary Nickel Alloys,
P. Nash (Ed.), ASM International,
solution) Materials Park, OH (1991).
1000
0 20 40 60 80 100 wt% Ni Chapter 9 - 7
 Phase Diagrams:
Determination of phase(s) present
• Rule 1: If we know T and Co, then we know:
-- which phase(s) is (are) present.
T(ºC)
• Examples: 1600
A(1100ºC, 60 wt% Ni): L (liquid)
1 phase: a

B (1250ºC,35)
1500
Cu-Ni
B(1250ºC, 35 wt% Ni): 1400 phase
2 phases: L + a diagram
1300 a
(FCC solid
1200
Adapted from Fig. 9.3(a), Callister &
solution)
Rethwisch 8e. (Fig. 9.3(a) is adapted from 1100 A(1100ºC,60)
Phase Diagrams of Binary Nickel Alloys,
P. Nash (Ed.), ASM International,
Materials Park, OH (1991). 1000
0 20 40 60 80 100 wt% Ni
Chapter 9 - 8
 Phase Diagrams:
Determination of phase compositions
• Rule 2: If we know T and C0, then we can determine:
-- the composition of each phase. Cu-Ni
T(ºC) system
• Examples:
TA A
Consider C0 = 35 wt% Ni tie line
At TA = 1320ºC: 1300 L (liquid)
Only Liquid (L) present B
CL = C0 ( = 35 wt% Ni) TB
a
At TD = 1190ºC:
1200 D (solid)
Only Solid (a) present TD
Ca = C0 ( = 35 wt% Ni)
20 3032 35 4043 50
At TB = 1250ºC: CL C0 Ca wt% Ni
Both a and L present Adapted from Fig. 9.3(a), Callister &
Rethwisch 8e. (Fig. 9.3(a) is adapted from
CL = C liquidus ( = 32 wt% Ni) Phase Diagrams of Binary Nickel Alloys, P.
Nash (Ed.), ASM International, Materials
Ca = C solidus ( = 43 wt% Ni) Park, OH (1991).

Chapter 9 - 9
 Phase Diagrams:
Determination of phase weight fractions
• Rule 3: If we know T and C0, then can determine:
-- the weight fraction of each phase. Cu-Ni
• Examples: T(ºC) system
Consider C0 = 35 wt% Ni TA A
tie line
At TA : Only Liquid (L) present 1300 L (liquid)
WL = 1.00, Wa = 0 B
At TD : Only Solid ( a) present TB R S
a
WL = 0, Wa = 1.00
1200 D (solid)
At TB : Both a and L present TD
S 43  35
WL 
20 3032 35 40 43 50
  0.73 CL C 0 Ca wt% Ni
R +S 43  32
Adapted from Fig. 9.3(a), Callister &
Rethwisch 8e. (Fig. 9.3(a) is adapted from
R
Wa 
Phase Diagrams of Binary Nickel Alloys, P.
= 0.27 Nash (Ed.), ASM International, Materials
R +S Park, OH (1991).

Chapter 9 - 10
 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
ML  M a R  S Ca  CL R  S Ca  CL
 Chapter 9 - 11
 Ex: Cooling of a Cu-Ni Alloy
• Phase diagram: T(ºC) L (liquid) L: 35wt%Ni
Cu-Ni system. Cu-Ni
system
• Consider 130 0 A
L: 35 wt% Ni
microstuctural a: 46 wt% Ni B
35 46
changes that 32 C 43
accompany the D
24 36 L: 32 wt% Ni
cooling of a a: 43 wt% Ni
C0 = 35 wt% Ni alloy 120 0 E
L: 24 wt% Ni
a: 36 wt% Ni
a
(solid)

110 0
20 30 35 40 50
Adapted from Fig. 9.4, C0 wt% Ni
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
Chapter 9 - 12
 Binary-Eutectic Systems
has a special composition
2 components with a min. melting T.
Cu-Ag
T(ºC) system
Ex.: Cu-Ag system 1200
• 3 single phase regions L (liquid)
(L, a, b) 1000
• Limited solubility: a L + a 779ºC L+b b
a: mostly Cu TE 800 8.0 71.9 91.2
b: mostly Ag 600
• TE : No liquid below TE ab
• CE : Composition at 400
temperature TE 200
0 20 40 60 CE 80 100
• Eutectic reaction C, wt% Ag
L(CE) a(CaE) + b(CbE) Adapted from Fig. 9.7,
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
cooling
L(71.9 wt% Ag) a(8.0 wt% Ag)  b(91.2 wt% Ag)
Chapter 9 - 13
heating
 EX 1: Pb-Sn Eutectic System
• For a 40 wt% Sn-60 wt% Pb alloy at 150ºC, determine:
-- the phases present Pb-Sn
Answer: a + b T(ºC) system
-- the phase compositions
300
Answer: Ca = 11 wt% Sn L (liquid)
Cb = 99 wt% Sn
-- the relative amount a L+ a
200 183ºC L+b b
of each phase 18.3 61.9 97.8
Answer: 150
S Cb - C0 R S
100
W =
a R+S
=
Cb - Ca a+b
99 - 40 59
= = = 0.67
99 - 11 88 0 11 20 40 60 80 99100
C0 - Ca Ca C0 Cb
Wb = R = C, wt% Sn
R+S Cb - Ca Adapted from Fig. 9.8,
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
40 - 11 29
= = = 0.33 Chapter 9 - 14
99 - 11 88
 EX 2: Pb-Sn Eutectic System
• For a 40 wt% Sn-60 wt% Pb alloy at 220ºC, determine:
-- the phases present: Pb-Sn
Answer: a + L T(ºC) system
-- the phase compositions
300
Answer: Ca = 17 wt% Sn L (liquid)
CL = 46 wt% Sn L+a
-- the relative amount 220
200
a R S L+b b
of each phase 183ºC
Answer:
100
Wa =
CL - C0
=
46 - 40 a+b
CL - Ca 46 - 17
6 0 17 20 40 46 60 80 100
= = 0.21 Ca C0 CL
29 C, wt% Sn
Adapted from Fig. 9.8,
C0 - Ca 23 Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
WL = = = 0.79
CL - Ca 29
Chapter 9 - 15
 Microstructural Developments
in Eutectic Systems I

• For alloys for which T(ºC)

400
L: C0 wt% Sn

C0 < 2 wt% Sn L
• Result: at room temperature a
300 L
-- polycrystalline with grains of
a phase having L+ a
a
composition C0 200 (Pb-Sn
TE a: C0 wt% Sn
System)

a+ b
100

0 10 20 30
Adapted from Fig. 9.11, C0 C , wt% Sn
Callister & Rethwisch 8e. 2
(room T solubility limit)

Chapter 9 - 16
 Microstructural Developments
in Eutectic Systems II
L: C0 wt% Sn
• For alloys for which 400
T(ºC)
2 wt% Sn < C0 < 18.3 wt% Sn L
• Result: L
at temperatures in a + b range 300 a
L+a
-- polycrystalline with a grains a: C0 wt% Sn
and small b-phase particles 200 a
TE
a
b
100
a+ b Pb-Sn
system
Adapted from Fig. 9.12, 0 10 20 30
Callister & Rethwisch 8e. 2 C0 C, wt% Sn
(sol. limit at T room ) 18.3
(sol. limit at TE)
Chapter 9 - 17
 Microstructural Developments
in Eutectic Systems III
• For alloy of composition C0 = CE
• Result: Eutectic microstructure (lamellar structure)
-- alternating layers (lamellae) of a and b phases.
Micrograph of Pb-Sn
T(ºC) eutectic
L: C0 wt% Sn microstructure
300 L
Pb-Sn
system
L+a
200
a 183ºC Lb b
TE

100 160 m
ab b: 97.8 wt% Sn
Adapted from Fig. 9.14,
a: 18.3 wt%Sn Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

0 20 40 60 80 100
18.3 CE 97.8
Adapted from Fig. 9.13, 61.9 C, wt% Sn Chapter 9 - 18
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
 Lamellar Eutectic Structure

Adapted from Figs. 9.14 & 9.15, Callister

& Rethwisch 8e.

Chapter 9 - 19
 Microstructural Developments
in Eutectic Systems IV
• For alloys for which 18.3 wt% Sn < C0 < 61.9 wt% Sn
• Result: a phase particles and a eutectic microconstituent
• Just above TE :
T(ºC) L: C0 wt% Sn L
a Ca = 18.3 wt% Sn
L
300 L CL = 61.9 wt% Sn
Pb-Sn a S
L+ a Wa = = 0.50
system R+S
a
b b
200 R S L+ WL = (1- Wa) = 0.50
TE S
R
• Just below TE :
100 a+b Ca = 18.3 wt% Sn
primary a Cb = 97.8 wt% Sn
eutectic a
eutectic b Wa = S = 0.73
0 20 40 60 80 100 R+S
18.3 61.9 97.8 Wb = 0.27
Adapted from Fig. 9.16,
Callister & Rethwisch 8e. C, wt% Sn Chapter 9 - 20
 Hypoeutectic & Hypereutectic
300
L
T(ºC)
L+ a
Adapted from Fig. 9.8,
Callister & Rethwisch 8e. a L+b b
(Fig. 10.8 adapted from
200
TE
(Pb-Sn
Binary Phase Diagrams,
2nd ed., Vol. 3, T.B. a+b System)
Massalski (Editor-in-Chief), 100
ASM International,
Materials Park, OH, 1990.)

0 20 40 60 80 100 C, wt% Sn
eutectic
hypoeutectic: C0 = 50 wt% Sn 61.9 hypereutectic: (illustration only)
(Figs. 9.14 and 9.17
from Metals
eutectic: C0 = 61.9 wt% Sn
Handbook, 9th ed.,
Vol. 9,
a b
Metallography and a b
Microstructures, a a b b
American Society for a b
Metals, Materials
Park, OH, 1985.) a b
175 m 160 m
Adapted from eutectic micro-constituent Adapted from Fig. 9.17,
Fig. 9.17, Callister & Adapted from Fig. 9.14, Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
Rethwisch 8e. Callister & Rethwisch 8e. (Illustration only)
Chapter 9 - 21
 Eutectic, Eutectoid, & Peritectic
• Eutectic - liquid transforms to two solid phases
L cool a + b (For Pb-Sn, 183ºC, 61.9 wt% Sn)
heat

• Eutectoid – one solid phase transforms to two other

solid phases
intermetallic compound
S2 S1+S3 - cementite

 cool a + Fe3C (For Fe-C, 727ºC, 0.76 wt% C)

heat

• Peritectic - liquid and one solid phase transform to a

second solid phase
S1 + L S2
cool
 +L heat  (For Fe-C, 1493ºC, 0.16 wt% C)

Chapter 9 - 22
 Eutectoid & Peritectic
Peritectic transformation  + L 
Cu-Zn Phase diagram

Adapted from Fig. 9.21,

Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
Eutectoid transformation  +
Chapter 9 - 23
 Iron-Carbon (Fe-C) Phase Diagram
• 2 important T(ºC)
1600
points 
- Eutectic (A): 1400 L
L   + Fe3C   +L
1200 1148ºC
A L+Fe3C
- Eutectoid (B): (austenite)

Fe3C (cementite)
  a + Fe3C 1000  
   +Fe3C

a
800 727ºC = T eutectoid
B
600
a+Fe3C
400
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 6.7
(Fe) 0.76 4.30 C, wt% C
120 m
Result: Pearlite = Fe3C (cementite-hard)
alternating layers of
a and Fe3C phases a (ferrite-soft)
(Adapted from Fig. 9.27, Adapted from Fig. 9.24,
Chapter 9 - 24
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.) Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
 Hypoeutectoid Steel
T(ºC)
1600

1400 L
  (Fe-C
  +L
  1200 1148ºC L+Fe3C System)

Fe3C (cementite)
(austenite)
  1000
   + Fe3C Adapted from Figs. 9.24
and 9.29,Callister &
a Rethwisch 8e.
a  800 727ºC (Fig. 9.24 adapted from
 a a Binary Alloy Phase
Diagrams, 2nd ed., Vol.
600
a + Fe3C 1, T.B. Massalski (Ed.-in-
Chief), ASM International,
Materials Park, OH,
400 1990.)
a 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 6.7
(Fe)C0 C, wt% C
0.76

pearlite

Hypoeutectoid
100 m
steel

pearlite proeutectoid ferrite

Adapted from Fig. 9.30, Callister & Rethwisch 8e. Chapter 9 - 25
 Hypoeutectoid Steel
T(ºC)
1600

1400 L
(Fe-C
a   +L
System)
a  1200 1148ºC L+Fe3C

Fe3C (cementite)
(austenite)
 a
1000
 + Fe3C Adapted from Figs. 9.24
Wa = s/(r + s) and 9.29,Callister &
Rethwisch 8e.
800 r s 727ºC
W =(1 - Wa) (Fig. 9.24 adapted from

aRS Binary Alloy Phase

Diagrams, 2nd ed., Vol.
a 600
a + Fe3C 1, T.B. Massalski (Ed.-in-
Chief), ASM International,
pearlite Materials Park, OH,
400 1990.)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 6.7
(Fe)C0 C, wt% C
0.76

Wpearlite = W
Wa’ = S/(R + S) 100 m
Hypoeutectoid
steel
WFe3C =(1 – Wa’)
pearlite proeutectoid ferrite
Adapted from Fig. 9.30, Callister & Rethwisch 8e. Chapter 9 - 26
 Hypereutectoid Steel
T(ºC)
1600

1400 L (Fe-C
  +L System)
 
 
1200 1148ºC L+Fe3C

Fe3C (cementite)
(austenite)
  1000
   +Fe3C Adapted from Figs. 9.24
and 9.32,Callister &
Fe3C
 
Rethwisch 8e. (Fig. 9.24
800 adapted from Binary Alloy
  a Phase Diagrams, 2nd
ed., Vol. 1, T.B. Massalski
600
a +Fe3C (Ed.-in-Chief), ASM
International, Materials
Park, OH, 1990.)
400
0 1 C0 2 3 4 5 6 6.7
0.76

(Fe) C, wt%C
pearlite

60 mHypereutectoid
steel
pearlite proeutectoid Fe3C
Adapted from Fig. 9.33, Callister & Rethwisch 8e. Chapter 9 - 27
 Hypereutectoid Steel
T(ºC)
1600

1400 L (Fe-C
 +L System)
Fe3C 
  1200 1148ºC L+Fe3C

Fe3C (cementite)
(austenite)
  1000
 +Fe3C Adapted from Figs. 9.24
and 9.32,Callister &
W =x/(v + x) Rethwisch 8e. (Fig. 9.24
800 v x adapted from Binary Alloy
WFe3C =(1-W)
a V X
Phase Diagrams, 2nd
ed., Vol. 1, T.B. Massalski
600
a +Fe3C (Ed.-in-Chief), ASM
pearlite International, Materials
Park, OH, 1990.)
400
0 1 C0 2 3 4 5 6 6.7
0.76

(Fe) C, wt%C
Wpearlite = W
Wa = X/(V + X)
60 mHypereutectoid
WFe =(1 - Wa) steel
3C’
pearlite proeutectoid Fe3C
Adapted from Fig. 9.33, Callister & Rethwisch 8e. Chapter 9 - 28
 Summary

• Phase diagrams are useful tools to determine:

-- the number and types of phases present,
-- the composition of each phase,
-- and the weight fraction of each phase
given the temperature and composition of the system.
• The microstructure of an alloy depends on
-- its composition, and
-- whether or not cooling rate allows for maintenance of
equilibrium.
• Important phase diagram phase transformations include
eutectic, eutectoid, and peritectic.

Chapter 9 - 29
 ANNOUNCEMENTS
Reading:

Core Problems:

Self-help Problems:

Chapter 9 - 30