Phase Diagrams

Equilibrium Phase Diagrams

Give  the  relationship of  composition of  a  solution as a  function of temperatures and  the quantities of phases in equilibrium. These diagrams do not indicate the dynamics when one phase transforms into another. Sometimes diagrams are given with pressure as one of the variables. In the phase diagrams we will discuss, pressure is assumed to be constant at one atmosphere.

Binary Isomorphous Systems

This very simple case is one complete liquid and solid solubility, an isomorphous system. The example is the Cu-Ni alloy of Fig. 9.2a. The complete solubility occurs because both Cu and Ni have the same crystal structure (FCC), near the same radii, electronegativity and valence. The liquidus line separates the liquid phase from solid or solid + liquid phases. That is, the solution isliquid above the liquidus line. The solidus line is that below which the solution is completely solid (does not contain a liquid phase.)