SOLID-STATE DIFFUSION

Solid-state diffusion is a means of mass

transport within solid materials by step-wise
atomic motion.

The term interdiffusion refers to the migration of

impurity atoms; for host atoms, the term selfdiffusion is used.

 Interdiffusion: In an alloy, atoms tend to migrate

from region to region.
Initially

After some time

 Self-diffusion: In an elemental solid, atoms

also migrate.
Label some atoms

After some time

D
A

B
B

Diffusion Mechanisms

Two mechanisms for diffusion are possible:

vacancy and interstitial.

Vacancy diffusion occurs via the exchange of

an atom residing on a normal lattice site with an
adjacent vacancy.

VACANCY DIFFUSION

For interstitial diffusion, an atom migrates from

one interstitial position to an empty adjacent
one.

INTERSTITIAL DIFFUSION

Diffusion Flux
Diffusion is a time-dependent processthat is, in a macroscopic
sense, the quantity of an element that is transported within
another is a function of time. Often it is necessary to know how
fast diffusion occurs, or the rate of mass transfer. This rate is
frequently expressed as a diffusion flux (J), defined as the mass
(or, equivalently, the number of atoms) (M) diffusing through and
perpendicular to a unit cross-sectional area of solid per unit of
time.

J = M/AT
Where: J = Diffusion Flux
M = Mass
A = Area where diffusion is occurring
t = Elapsed diffusion time

If the diffusion flux does not change with time, a

steady-state condition exists. One common example
of steady-state diffusion is the diffusion of atoms of a
gas through a plate of metal for which the
concentrations (or pressures) of the diffusing species
on both surfaces of the plate are held constant.

Most practical diffusion situations are nonsteady-state

ones. That is, the diffusion flux at some particular
point in a solid vary with time.

Factors that influence diffusion are diffusing

species and temperature. The magnitude of the
diffusion coefficient is indicative of the rate of
atomic motion and depends on both host and
diffusing species as well as on temperature.