TUTORIAL PROBLEMS 5:

Note: Learners are expected to work on the problems

individually and be ready to present their working to the rest
of the class for discussion, corrections, etc.
1. Sketch and label the phase equilibrium diagram
between two metals which show complete
solubility in the solid state. What factors would
favour this type of behaviour?
2. Sketch and label the phase equilibrium diagram
between two metals A and B given that the two
form an intermetallic compound in which neither
is soluble. A and B also show partial solubility in
each other. Identify all phases in your sketch.
3. Sketch and label the phase equilibrium diagram
between two metals A and B which form a
congruent melting, non-stoichiometric (i.e. with a
variable composition) intermetallic phase. A and B
are also partially soluble in each other.
4. Show the differences between intermetallic
compounds and solid solutions with regard to
composition, type of bonds, crystal structure and
mechanical properties.
5. Sketch and fully label the phase equilibrium
diagram of a binary alloy system showing a
peritectic reaction. Give one common example of
an alloy system that shows this type of reaction.
6. Referring to Figure E5.2, draw the cooling curves
expected from alloys having the following
compositions: 5 % Ag; 8.0 % Ag; 40 % Ag; 71.9 %
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 Ag and 100 % Ag. Indicate clearly the points
where a change in slope occurs in you sketches.
7. Discuss the differences between valency and
electron intermetallic compounds as regards their
bonding, valency rules, composition and elements
forming the compound.
8. Two metals, A and B are partially soluble in the
solid state. The maximum solubilities are 5 wt% B
in A and 25 wt% A in B. The solubilities are 2 wt%
B in A and 5 wt% A in B at 0C. The metals form
an intermetallic compound A2B melting at 750C.
The respective melting points of A and B are 700C
and 500C while the atomic weights are 45 amu
and 75 amu, respectively. Eutectics form at 22 wt%
B and 60 wt%B at temperatures of 450C and
320C, respectively. Construct and fully label the
phase equilibrium diagram using straight lines for
all phase boundaries.
For 220 g of an alloy containing 45 wt% A,
determine the temperatures at which melting
starts and ends, as well as the chemical
composition and quantities of the phases present
at 200C. (Ans. 320C, 470C,  (83 wt% B), A2B (45
wt%B), 147 g, 53 g).
9. A binary alloy is formed between two metals A
and B. Given the following data, draw and fully
label the phase equilibrium diagram:
Melting point of A 700C
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 Melting point of B 1000C
Maximum solubility of A in B 15 wt%
Maximum solubility of B in A 10 wt%
Eutectic temperature 500C
Eutectic composition 40 wt%B
Solubility of A in B at 0C 10 wt%
Solubility of B in A at 0C 5 wt%
For 500 g of an alloy containing 30 wt% B,
determine the chemical composition and the
quantities of the phases present at 550C. (Ans. L
(30 wt% B); 500g).
10. (a) Explain, using illustrations where
necessary, the meaning of the following: eutectic
alloy, peritectic reaction, lever rule, phase.
(b) There are 500 g of a binary alloy. The two
components A and B are completely soluble in the
liquid state but only partially soluble in the solid
state. Given the following data, construct and fully
label the phase equilibrium diagram. Use straight
lines for all phase boundaries.

Melting point of A 650C

Melting point of B 550C
Eutectic composition 40 wt% A
Eutectic temperature 350C
Maximum solubility of B in A 15 wt%

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 Maximum solubility of A in B 10 wt%
(Note: the solubilities are max at 350C)
Solubilities at 0C (for both) 0%

For an alloy containing 75 wt% A, calculate the

quantities and the chemical composition of the
phases present at 400C and 350C. (Ans.  (143 g;
12.5 wt% B); L (357 g; 50 wt% B);  (90 wt% B);
Quantities are indeterminate at 350C).
11. Figure Q5.11 shows a phase diagram between
two metals A and B. For the alloys marked I, II and
III, deduce the crystal structures expected at
temperatures T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5.

12. Draw the phase equilibrium diagram between

lead (Pb) and tin (Sn) given the following data:
Melting point of Pb 327C
Melting point of Sn 232C

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 Eutectic temperature 183C
Eutectic composition 61.9 wt% Sn
Solubility of Sn in Pb at 150C 10 wt%
Solubility of Sn in Pb at 50C 1.5 wt%
Maximum solubility of Sn in Pb 19.2 wt%
Maximum solubility of Pb in Sn 2.5 wt%
Solubility of Pb in Sn at 132C 0%
Use straight lines for phase boundaries where no
alternative data are given. For 700 g of an alloy
containing 83 wt% Sn, determine the phases present,
their chemical compositions and their quantities at
200C, (Ans. L (75 wt% Sn);  (98 wt% Sn); 457 g; 243 g).
13. Draw and label the peritectic phase
equilibrium diagram of the silver-platinum system
(between 800C and 1900C) given the following
data:
Melting point of Ag 960C
Melting point of Pt 1770C
Peritectic temperature 1189C
Comp of liquid at peritectic temp 31 wt% Pt
Comp of solid at peritectic temp 86 wt% Pt
Comp of solid solution 1 at 900C 57 wt% Pt
Comp of solid solution 2 at 900C 88 wt% Pt

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 (a) For an alloy containing 28 wt% Pt, determine
the temperature at which melting starts and ends.
(Ans. 1090C, 1175C)
(b) For an alloy containing 36 wt% Ag, determine
the phases present, their chemical compositions
and their ratios at 1400C. (Ans. L (43 wt% Ag); S
(9 wt% Ag); 0.78; 0.22).
14. Construct and fully label the phase equilibrium
diagram between lead and magnesium given the
following data:
Intermetallic compound Mg2Pb
Melting point of Pb 328C
Melting point of Mg 649C
Melting point of Mg2Pb 550C
Atomic weight of Pb 207 amu
Atomic weight of Mg 24 amu
Eutectic temp (Pb/Mg2Pb part) 250C
Eutectic comp (Pb/Mg2Pb part) 2.5wt% Mg
Eutectic temp (Mg2Pb/Mg part) 468C

Eutectic comp (Mg2Pb/Mg part) 32 wt% Mg

Maximum solubility of Mg in Pb 1 wt%
Maximum solubility of Pb in Mg 26 wt%

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 Both solubilities (Mg in Pb and Pb in Mg) are zero
at 0C. For 300 g of an alloy containing 35 wt%
Mg, determine the phases present and their
quantities at 370C. Use straight lines for all phase
boundaries. (Ans. : 77.5 g; Mg2Pb: 222.5 g).

15. Given that magnesium and tin form a valency

intermetallic compound Mg2Sn and the following
data, draw and fully label the phase equilibrium
diagram between the two:
Atomic weight of Mg 24.3 amu
Atomic weight of Sn 118.69 amu
Melting point of Mg 649C
Melting point of Sn 232C
Melting point of Mg2Sn 772C
Max solubility of Sn in Mg 15 wt%
Solubility of Sn in Mg at 400C 4.4 wt%
Solubility of Sn in Mg at 100C 0%
Maximum solubility of Mg in Sn 0%
Eutectic temp of Mg rich part 561C
Eutectic comp of Mg rich part 36.4wt%
Sn
Eutectic temp of Sn rich part 204C
Eutectic comp of Sn rich part 98 wt% Sn

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Use straight lines for the phase boundaries where
no alternative data is given. For 500g of an alloy
containing 22 wt% Sn which is maintained just
below 561C, determine the following: the
quantity of pro-eutectic ; the quantity of eutectic
; the quantity of Mg2Sn.  is the solid solution of
Sn in Mg. (Ans. 336.4 g; 101 g; 62.6 g).