Solid Solution
A solid solution is formed when two metals
Solid Solution Hardening
Solid Solution
Types of solid solutions
Solid solutions are of two types. They are
(a) Substitutional solid solutions.
(b) Interstitial solid solutions.
Hume Rothery rules for the formation
Substitutional solid solutions
are completely soluble in liquid state and also
completely soluble in solid state.
when homogeneous mixtures of two or more
kinds of atoms (of metals) occur in the solid
state, they are known as solid solutions.
Substitutional solid solutions
If the atoms of the solvent or parent metal are
replaced in the crystal lattice by atoms of the
solute metal then the solid solution is known
as substitutional solid solution.
of substitutional solid solutions
Hume Rothery formulated certain rules which
govern the formation of substitutional solid
solutions.
 Crystal structure factor
For complete solid solubility, the two
elements should have the same type of crystal
structure
Chemical affinity factor
Solid solubility is favoured when the two
metals have lesser chemical affinity.
If the chemical affinity of the two metals is
greater then greater is the tendency towards
compound formation.
Substitutional solid solutions
Relative size factor
As the size (atomic radii) difference between
two elements increases, the solid solubility
becomes more restricted.
For extensive solid solubility the difference in
atomic radii of two elements should be less
than about 15 percent.
Relative valence factor
It is found that a metal of lower valence tends
to dissolve more of a metal of higher valence
than vice versa.
Substitutional solid solutions
 Interstitial Solid Solutions Interstitial Solid Solutions
In interstitial solid solutions, the solute atom
does not displace a solvent atom.
but rather it enters one of the holes or
interstices between the solvent atoms.

Interstitial Solid Solutions Effect of Solute Size

Effect of Solute Size Effect of Solute Size

The degree of strength imparted by the
alloying element depends on the relative
difference in size between the solute and
solvent.
 Effect of Solute Size
A large difference in size creates more
distortion of the crystalline lattice. This extra
distortion further impedes the progress of
dislocations, resulting in higher stength.
Effect of Solute Size
Based on atomic mass, zinc and copper atoms
are nearly the same size, 65.4 and 63.5,
respectively. Zinc gives the lowest return on
strength.
Nickel (58.7) is also very close in size to
copper, but not as close as zinc.
Effect of Solute Size
Solution hardening, or alloying, is a powerful
method to improve the strength of a material.
However
Effect of Solute Size
Effect of Solute Size
Aluminum (27.0) and Silicon (28.1) are both
substantially smaller than copper and give
much greater return.
Beryllium (9.0) is about 1/7 the size of copper
and tin (118.7) is nearly double the size. These
elements give the highest return on strength
Selection of alloying elements
Various alloying elements are also used in
different combinations in efforts to vary other
important properties, such as conductivity,
elastic modulus, ductility, and cost.
 Selection of alloying elements
All properties of a material must be
scrutinized by the designer before a material
choice can be made.