The Binary Eutectic Phase Diagram

The eutectic is so named for the critical constant temperature or isotherm that
dominates the phase diagram.
L (single Phase)α+β ( two phase solid)

PYL 116 Elements of Materials Processing, Dr. P. K. Muduli

 The Binary Eutectic Phase Diagram
The eutectic is so named for the critical constant temperature or isotherm that
dominates the phase diagram.
L (single Phase)α+β ( two phase solid)

Their liquidus lines converge

at a critical point, the eutectic
composition (61.9 wt% Sn)

PYL 116 Elements of Materials Processing, Dr. P. K. Muduli

 Microstructures

PYL 116 Elements of Materials Processing, Dr. P. K. Muduli

 Nucleation
 localized formation of a distinct thermodynamic phase

 Nucleation can occur in a gas, liquid or solid phase.

1) In gas: Creation of liquid droplets in saturated vapor;
2) In liquid: formation of gaseous bubbles, crystals (e.g., ice
formation from water), or glassy regions;
3) In solid: Nucleation of crystalline, amorphous, and even vacancy
clusters in solid materials.
 Most nucleation processes are physical, rather than chemical.
 Nucleation normally occurs at nucleation sites -heterogeneous
nucleation.
 Nucleation without preferential nucleation sites is
homogeneous nucleation

PYL 116 Elements of Materials Processing, Dr. P. K. Muduli

 Homogeneous Nucleation
 No nucleation site
 Driving force is supersaturation
 vapor --> liquid (solid) for a pure material with NO substrate

For the condensation reaction, vapor (v) ~ solid (s) vapor pressure above the solid

change in chemical
free energy per unit the pressure of the
the atomic volume
volume supersaturated vapor
PYL 116 Elements of Materials Processing, Dr. P. K. Muduli
 Homogeneous Nucleation

S= (PV-PS)/PS is vapor supersaturation

• If S = 0 and ∆𝐺𝑣 = 0 ⇒nucleation is impossible.

• If, Pv > Ps, ∆𝐺𝑣 is negative and nucleation is possible.
• Supersaturation is needed for Homogenous
nucleation.

PYL 116 Elements of Materials Processing, Dr. P. K. Muduli