1

Off-Eutectic Alloys
• When the bulk alloy composition (Xo) deviates from XE, solidification
usually begins close to TI with the formation of primary (α) dendrites.

• In the absence of solid-state diffusion, centre of dendrites will contain

less solute than the outer layers (reason of coring in the final
microstructure).

• Divorced eutectic: Minor phase

appears as isolated islands and
the other phase forms by the
thickening of the dendrites.
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Peritectic solidification:
• Solidification of alloy Xo at a finite velocity in a shallow T gradient

• α grows dendritically, composition of first solid kXo at T close to TI

• At Tp, liq+ α→β

• α dendrites are isolated from

further reaction and are
retained to lower T.

• β phase continues to
precipitate from liquid
(compositions along line bd)

• Composition of liquid will reach

“e” and solidify as β + γ
eutectic.
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Peritectic solidification:
• Final solidified microstructure: Cored α dendrites + β and islands of β
+ γ eutectic

• Peritectic reaction in Fe-C

system is very rapid and
convert all primary δ dendrites
into the more stable γ.