Binary eutectic system (example, silver-copper)

The two constituents are not completely soluble in each other

Copper (Cu) Silver (Ag)

FCC FCC
0.128 nm atomic radii 0.144 nm atomic radii

Mix 50% Ag + 50% Cu, gives

two solid phases (a and b)

a (saturated - mostly Cu with b (saturated - mostly Ag

some Ag) with some Cu)
Not this!
Eutectic reaction: One liquid phase becomes two distinct solid phases upon cooling
L cooling a + b

Liquid, L

a+L b+L
a b
Eutectic
temperature
a+b

Eutectic composition

Eutectic composition liquid

 Eutectic reaction

Liquid, L

a+L b+L
a b

Eutectic Reaction
(at eutectic
a+b
temperature and
composition)

Crystal of one
phase forms
(via diffusion in
the liquid)

Local area becomes “depleted”

of one constituent.

The depleted area near the solidification pushes the local composition
into a solid forming range on the phase diagram. This causes the second
solid phase to form adjacent to the first phase.
 Eutectic reaction

Liquid, L

a+L b+L
a b

a+b

Local area becomes

Depleted in the second
phase constituent

Second solid phase forms

 Eutectic reaction

Liquid, L

a+L b+L
a b

a+b

The 2 phases grow

side-by-side creating a
laminated microstructure
 Eutectic reaction

Liquid, L

a+L b+L
a b

a+b

Eutectic reaction:
Characteristic microstructure: laminates of each of the 2 phases