Ternary Phase Diagrams

last updated 4/14/96

In my part of the project, I will introduce ternary phase diagrams, focusing on a stainless steel system (Ni-Cr-Fe) in coordination with the Examples/Applications group since it is a common, and important, alloy.

(Figure 1: Picture of Stainless Steel Hoist)

I will have an introduction where I will discuss the usefulness of a multicomponent system. I will not go deeply into how they are developed because that jumps a little far ahead, but I will discuss the differences in how to read a ternary verses a binary phase diagram.

(Figure 2: Stainless steel phase diagram at one certain temperature)

I will link to experimental development as well as analytical development for the development of binary phase diagrams. I will also link this back to the MSE 3424 syllabus, Phase Equilibria and Crystal Chemistry, since this topic is covered in depth in that class.

I may go into discussing pressure/temperature differences if I can understand it and feel it accessible to an MSE 2034 class. This would introduce a fourth dimension of pressure which may get a little confusing, but I'll see what I can do. I am trying to include a visual that would be 3-dimensional but not necessarily a 3-D picture. I am working with the sci viz group on making this visual possible for stainless steel phase diagrams at different temperatures. I will include microphotographs if I can find any of stainless steel of the various phases.

(Figure 3: Stainless steel phase diagram over a range of temperatures)


Links to other sites of the subject of ternary phase diagrams will be included in the list of all links pertaining to the entire project.

page authored by Jamie Yeakle

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