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Alloys and phase diagrams
An alloy is a mixture of a metal with other elements to achieve desired properties, like carbon steel (iron and carbon) or brass (copper and zinc). A phase diagram shows which phases are stable at different temperatures and compositions, and is used to understand and plan heat treatment.
definition of an alloy
Example
The iron–carbon diagram shows that even under 2% carbon in iron dramatically changes the steel's properties, from soft and ductile to hard and brittle.
A phase diagram tells you which phases exist at equilibrium — not how fast they form on cooling.
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← Defects and dislocations · Stress–strain curve →
Part of Materials Technology: Structure.