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A-4 Solutions

The document discusses key concepts in solid solutions including: 1. Definitions of solid solution, phase, and component. 2. The two types of solid solutions - substitutional and interstitial - and factors that contribute to their formation such as size, chemical affinity, and valence of solvent and solute atoms. 3. An explanation of how Hume-Rothery rules govern the formation of substitutional solid solutions. 4. A mathematical expression of the phase rule relating the number of phases, degrees of freedom, components, and external factors in a system.

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Peeka Prabhakara Rao
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102 views5 pages

A-4 Solutions

The document discusses key concepts in solid solutions including: 1. Definitions of solid solution, phase, and component. 2. The two types of solid solutions - substitutional and interstitial - and factors that contribute to their formation such as size, chemical affinity, and valence of solvent and solute atoms. 3. An explanation of how Hume-Rothery rules govern the formation of substitutional solid solutions. 4. A mathematical expression of the phase rule relating the number of phases, degrees of freedom, components, and external factors in a system.

Uploaded by

Peeka Prabhakara Rao
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Assignment-4 Solutions

1. Define solid solution, phase and component.

Ans. Solid solution: A solid solution is a homogeneous mixture of two or more kinds of
atoms in a solid state or more than two types of atoms combined in a single-space
lattice.

Phase: Phase is a physically homogeneous state of matter, where the phase has a
certain chemical composition, and a distinct type of atomic bonding and arrangement
of elements.

Component: The number of chemically independent constituents of the system.

2. Differentiate between the two types of solid solutions. Explain the factors that
contribute it.

Ans. 1. Substitutional Solid Solution


In a substitutional solid solution, the solute atom substitutes the atoms of solvent
in the crystal structure. The crystal structure of the parent element is unchanged,
but the lattice may be distorted by the presence of the solute atoms. In a
substitutional solid solution, the two atoms (solvent and solute) are equal or
approximately equal in diameter and the crystal structure of the two elements must
be the same.
Substitutional solid solutions are further classified into disordered substitutional
solid solution and ordered substitutional solid solution.
a) Disordered Substitutional Solid Solution
In a substitutional solid solution, the solute atoms do not follow any
specific order, but the atoms are distributed randomly in the lattice
structure of the solvent. The concentration of solute atoms can vary
throughout the lattice structure. This alloy is said to be in a disordered
condition.
b) Ordered substitutional solid solution
If the disordered substitutional solid solution is heated to its
recrystallization temperature and then cooled very slowly, the atoms are
rearranged due to the diffusion that takes place during cooling. This results
in uniformity and definite ordering of the atoms in the lattice structure.
This structure is said to be ordered substitutional solid solution

2. Interstitial Solid Solution


In an interstitial solid solution, the diameter of the solute atom is very small
when compared to the solvent atoms. These are formed when atoms of small
atomic radii fit into the void spaces of the larger solvent atoms.

3. (Multiple choice question)


Relative valence factor states that ______________. ( )
a) Low valence metal can dissolve only a small amount of higher valence
metal
b) Higher valence metal can dissolve only a small amount of lower valance
metal
c) Low valence metal can dissolve only a small amount of low valance metal
d) Higher valence metal can dissolve only a small amount of higher valance
metal

Ans. (b) Higher valence metal can dissolve only a small amount of lower valance metal

4. How the factors governing the formation of substitutional solid solutions


contribute for the formation of solid solutions? Explain
Ans. Hume Rothery’s Rule

1. Relative size factor:

• If two metal atoms differ in their sizes by more than 15%, the
formation of a solid solution between them will be restricted.

• To show the solid solubility in each other, it is essential that their


atomic diameter shall be similar or the two different atoms differ in
their sizes by less than 13% and this is the most important factor to
obtain a solid solution.

2. Chemical affinity factor:

• If two metals possess a greater chemical affinity, they prefer to form a


chemical compound rather than a solid solution, and lesser are the
chances of forming a solid solution and dissolving each other.

• The two metal atoms should have very less chemical affinity between
them to show solid solubility.

3. Relative valence factor:

• In alloying metals, the solute and solvent atoms are different in valence
electrons.

• Hence, a metal of high valence can dissolve only a small amount of


lower valence metal but the lower valence metal may have a good
solubility than higher valence metal.

4. Crystal structure factor:

• It is found that metals having the same type of crystal lattice form a
complete series of solid solution, i.e., the crystal lattice of solvent and
solute should be same, otherwise, the solute and the solvent will not
merge with each other.

5. Explain the phase rule.

Ans. The number of variable factors which define the state of a system is called the degree
of freedom. Number of degrees of freedom is the quantity of independent external or
internal variables like temperature, pressure and concentration which may change the
formation of new phase in the system. Gibbs proved that ‘number of degrees of
freedom of a system in equilibrium condition is related to the number of components
and the number of phases.

Mathematically, it can be expressed as

P+F=C+N

where P is the number of phases in the system,


F is the number of degrees of freedom or number of physical variables, which
cause phase change of metal or alloy system,
C is the number of components in the system and
N is the number of external factors such as temperature and pressure.

Usually in metallurgical process, the pressure will not be considered a variable as it


is fixed at 1 atmospheric pressure. Thus, the above equation becomes

P+F=C+1

6. State and discuss the lever rule with analysis of an example.

Ans. The relative amounts of the co-existing phases and their compositions during the
process of solidification can be calculated at any temperature by the lever rule. A tie
line (isothermal) is drawn intersecting both the solidus and the liquidus lines and the
intercepts made by the liquidus and solidus curves with respect to the alloy
composition. To determine the relative amount of two phases, consider two lines AL
and MN, vertical and horizontal lines in phase diagram, as shown in Figure. The
intersection of these two lines is treated as the fulcrum of a simple lever system. In
this, the relative length of lever arms multiplied by amount of phase present must be
balanced. This is known as lever rule.

Mathematically, the lever rule can be expressed as

𝑂𝑝𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑚


% 𝑜𝑓 𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 = 𝑋 100
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐴𝑟𝑚

𝑂𝑁
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑑 𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 = 𝑋 100
𝑀𝑁
𝑂𝑀
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑎𝑚𝑜𝑢𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑑 𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑠𝑒 = 𝑋 100
𝑀𝑁

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