Lecture 01
MSE 2201
Phase Diagrams
Introduction to Phase Diagrams
and
Transformations
Md. Mafidul Islam,
Lecturer
Dept. of MSE, KUET
References: FC Campbell, PHASE DIAGRAMS: UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS, ASM International, 2012, Ch. 01
Introduction: Phase
The term “phase” refers to the distinct types of atomic bonding and
arrangement of elements in a material of a given chemical
composition (physically homogeneous state).
The simplest example is t h e three states
of matter (solid, liquid, or gas) of pure
metal.
In a pure metal, the solid phase may also have
a different arrangement.
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Phase
A phase refers to a physically and chemically homogeneous portion of a material system that is
separated from other portions by distinct boundaries. Each phase has its own physical and
chemical properties, such as density, crystal structure, and composition.
Phases are classified:
Based on the state: Gas, Liquid, Solid
Based on atomic order Amorphous, Quasicrystalline, Crystalline
Based on Band structure Insulating, Semi-conducting, Semi-metallic, Metallic
Based on Property Paraelectric, Ferromagnetic, Superconducting, …..
Based on Stability Stable, Metastable, (also- Neutral, unstable)
Based on Size/geometry Nanocrystalline, mesoporous, layered, …
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Phase
Unique and non- Periodic crystal Disordered
periodic crystal structure atomic structure:
structure Amorphous solid
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Introduction: Polymorphism
The ability of a solid to exist in more than one form.
Polymorphism in materials science refers to the ability of materials to
exist in multiple crystal structures or phases, which can significantly
impact their properties and behavior.
Some pure metals also have different crystalline structures as a
function of temperature.
Iron is an allotropic element. Calcium Carbonate (CaCO₃): Calcite:
Trigonal crystal system, Aragonite: Orthorhombic crystal system,
Vaterite: Hexagonal crystal system;
Allotropy is the general term to describe the solid-phase polymorphism of
an element polymorph for a compound.
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Introduction: Alloying
Alloying is a crucial technique in materials science that combines
different elements to create alloys with tailored properties.
These alloying can affect the occurrence of phase changes. For example,
the temperature for an alloy's complete melting depends on the alloying
elements' relative concentration.
Another example is the effect of alloying on the crystalline phase of a
solid. Depending on the mixture of two or more elements, the elements
may form different crystalline phases and/or chemical compounds.
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Microstructure
The properties of an alloy depend not only on proportions of the phases but also
on how they are arranged structurally at the microscopic level. Thus, the
microstructure is specified by the number of phases, their proportions, and their
arrangement in space.
The long gray regions are flakes of graphite.
The matrix is a fine mixture of BCC Fe and
Fe3C compounds.
Phase diagrams will help us to
understand and predict
microstructures like the one
shown in this page.
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Introduction: Microstructure
Microstructure in materials science refers to the arrangement, distribution,
and morphology of grains, phases, and other microscopic constituents
within a material.
It encompasses the structural features at the micrometer scale, which
significantly influences the mechanical, physical, thermal, and electrical
properties of the material. The microstructure is a key determinant of a
material's performance and behavior, making it a focal point in
understanding materials and optimizing their properties for specific
applications. 8
Introduction: Phase diagram
A phase diagram in materials science is a powerful visual representation
that showcases the relationships between phases, compositions, and
temperature or pressure in a material system.
In the simplest sense, a phase diagram defines regions of existence of
various phases. This is similar to a map that draws regions based on
political, geographical, ecological, etc. criteria.
Phase diagrams are maps of materials.
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Introduction: Phase diagram
Phase diagrams are useful to metallurgists, materials engineers, and
materials scientists in four major areas:
(1) Development of new alloys for specific applications
(2) Fabrication of these alloys into useful configurations
(3) Design and control of heat treatment procedures for specific alloys that
will produce the required mechanical, physical, and chemical properties, and
(4) Solving problems that arise with specific alloys in their performance in
commercial applications.
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Phase Diagram
Map demarcating regions of stability of various phases. Or a Map that gives the
relationship between phases in equilibrium in a system as a function of T, P, and
composition.
The variable and axes of the phase diagram can be:
Thermodynamic (T, P, V),
Kinetic (t) or
Composition variables (C, %x) (composition is usually measure in weight%,
atom% or mole fraction)
In single-component systems (unary systems) the usual variables are T & P
In phase diagrams used in materials science, the usual variables are T & %x
In the study of phase transformation kinetics Time Temperature
Transformation (TTT) diagrams or Continuous Cooling Transformation
(CCT), diagrams are also used where the axis are T & t
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Introduction: Phase diagram
Phase diagrams are also referred to as “Equilibrium phase diagrams”.
Broadly two kinds of phase diagrams can be differentiated: those
involving time and those that do not involve time.
Time-Temperature-Transformations (TTT) diagrams and Continuous-
Cooling Transformation (CCT) diagrams involve time. These diagrams
are usually designed to have a superimpose of microstructural
information (including microstructural evolution).
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Phase Diagram
Phase diagram is a graphical representation of all the equilibrium phases as a
function of temperature, pressure, and composition.
Pressure-temperature phase diagram for H2O 13
Phase Diagram
Phase diagrams are also called Equilibrium Phase Diagrams.
Though not explicitly stated the word ‘Equilibrium’ in this context usually
means Microstructural level equilibrium and NOT Global Equilibrium.
Microstructural level equilibrium implies that microstructures are ‘allowed to
exist’ and the system is not in the global energy minimum state.
Phase diagrams and the systems they describe are often classified and named for
the number (in Latin) of components in the system:
Number of components Name of system or
diagram
One Unary
Two Binary
Three Ternary
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