Analytical Model for Liquid/Liquid Interfacial Energy of Microalloyed Monotectic Alloys

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Physical Chemistry
• Thermodynamics

Background:

• Monotectic alloys exhibit liquid-liquid immiscibility.
• Microalloying elements can alter interfacial properties.
• Understanding interfacial energy is crucial for alloy design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an analytical model for interfacial energy (γ_L1/L2) in microalloyed A-B monotectic systems.
• To investigate the influence of microalloying element I concentration (x_I) on γ_L1/L2.
• To correlate interfacial behavior with the chemical potential of element I (μ_I) and interaction parameters.

Main Methods:

• Application of the Gibbs absorption isotherm to model interfacial energy.
• Development of an analytical model for γ_L1/L2.
• Validation of the model using experimental solidification data.

Main Results:

• The model is applicable for elements segregated or impoverished at the liquid-liquid interface.
• Interfacial energy variation with element I concentration is not always monotonic.
• The chemical potential of element I dictates the interfacial energy trend, influenced by the A-I interaction parameter (L_AI).

Conclusions:

• The relationship between interfacial energy and microalloying element concentration depends on element segregation behavior.
• The chemical potential of the microalloying element plays a key role in determining interfacial energy trends.
• The model provides a framework for predicting and understanding interfacial energy in complex alloy systems.