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Femme_physics
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Question at title. Out of curiosity.
Alloys and phase diagrams can be very simple or very complex. Not all form eutectics either.
What alloy are you thinking of in particular?
Femme_physics said:Can we argue that all eutectic metals will be stronger solids when they form in the eutectic point, and that's due to the fact they solidify with grain bounderies and not with a lamellar phase?
The strength of an alloy is dependent on various factors such as composition, processing, and microstructure. Therefore, it is not always the case that a eutectic alloy will be stronger than a hypo or hyper eutectic one.
A eutectic alloy is a mixture of two or more metals that has a specific composition and solidifies at a lower temperature than any of its individual components. This results in a microstructure with fine and uniformly distributed grains, which can contribute to its strength.
A hypo eutectic alloy has a composition that is below the eutectic point, meaning it has a higher concentration of one of the metals compared to the eutectic composition. This can result in a coarser microstructure and potentially lower strength compared to a eutectic alloy.
A hyper eutectic alloy has a composition that is above the eutectic point, meaning it has a lower concentration of one of the metals compared to the eutectic composition. This can result in a microstructure with larger and unevenly distributed grains, which can affect its strength.
Apart from composition and microstructure, other factors that can affect the strength of an alloy include processing techniques, heat treatment, and the presence of impurities or defects in the material. These factors can influence the grain structure and distribution, as well as the interactions between the different phases in the alloy.