Solid

Solid solutions
solutions

Solid solutions are made of a host (the

solvent or matrix) which dissolves the
minor component (solute).

The ability to dissolve is called solubility

Solvent :usually the element present in greatest
amount (sometimes referred to as “host atoms”)

Solute: usually the element present in minor

concentration
Types of Solid
Solution
1. Substitutional solid
solution
2. Interstitial solid solution
1. Substitutional solid solution
The atom or ion that is being introduced directly
replaces an atom or ion of the same charge in
the parent structure
A substitutional solid solution is a mixture of two
types of atoms in which one atom can replace the
other type of atom. Sterling silver is one of many
examples of substitutional solid solutions.

Sterling silver is an alloy (a metallic

mixture) containing both silver and copper.

Sterling silver is a substitutional solid solution.

2. Interstitial solid solution
The introduced species occupies a site that is
normally empty and no ions or atoms are left
out.
 Interstitial solid solution

The blue atoms fill the interstitial sites

between the red atoms
 Interstitial Solid Solutions
 Why Is Steel So Strong?
 Steel is iron mixed with a small amount of
carbon. Pure iron is not particularly strong, but
steel is one of the strongest materials known
to man.
 How can the addition of a small amount of
carbon increase the strength so much? It turns
out that carbon atoms, which are much smaller
than iron atoms, fill some of the small spaces
available between the iron atoms. These small
spaces are called interstitial sites.
 carbon dissolved in iron is an interstitial solid
solution.
 Hume-Rothery Rules
Hume-Rothery rules, named after William Hume-
Rothery, are a set of basic rules that describe the
conditions under which an element could dissolve
in a metal, forming
a solid solution.

There are two sets of rules; one refers to

substitutional solid solutions, and the other refers
to interstitial solid solutions.
The Hume-Rothery rules state that –

Two atom/elements must be very similar to each other in order to

form a solid solution, because any dissimilarities can cause
separation like in the case of oil and water.
The two elements must therefore meet all of the following
conditions in order to mix and form a solid solution.

Atomic Size: The atomic radii of the elements must be within about
15% of each other.
Crystal Structure: The two elements must have the same crystal
structure. This means that the atoms in one element must arrange
in the same way as the atoms in the other element.
Electronegativity: The two elements must have similar
electronegativity values. Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's
ability to attract electrons.

Valency: The two elements must have the same valency, which is a
measure of an atom's ability to combine with other atoms.
 Rules for Substitutional Solid Solution
 For substitutional solid solutions, the Hume-Rothery rules are as
follows:

 The atomic radius of the solute and solvent atoms must differ by no
more than 15%:

 The crystal structures of solute and solvent must be similar.

 Complete solubility occurs when the solvent and solute have the same
valency. A metal with lower valency is more likely to dissolve in a metal
of higher valency.

 The solute and solvent should have similar electronegativity. If the

electronegativity difference is too great, the metals tend to form
intermetallic compounds instead of solid solutions.
 Rules for Interstitial Solid Solution

 For interstitial solid solutions, the Hume-Rothery

Rules are:

 Solute atoms should have a smaller radius than the

radius of solvent atoms and differ by more than 15%.

 The solute and solvent should have similar

electronegativity.

 They can show a wide range of composition.

 Intermetallic compound

 An alloy having a characteristic crystal structure and usually a

definite composition not necessarily conforming with the normal
rules of valence —often distinguished from solid solution.

 Intermetallic compounds are materials composed of two or more

types of metal atoms, which exist as homogeneous, composite
substances and differ discontinuously in structure from that of
the constituent metals. They are also called, preferably,
intermetallic phases.

 The crystal structures found for intermetallic compounds may

likewise range from the simple rock-salt structure displayed by
BeTe to the extremely complex arrangement found for NaCd2,
Mg32(Al,Zn)49, and Cu4Cd3.
 Lamellar compounds

 Lamellar structures or microstructures are composed

of fine, alternating layers of different materials in the
form of lamellae.

 Solutions of lithium or sodium in

hexamethylphosphoramide react with graphite to give
ternary lamellar compounds, with “ideal” formulas
Li(S)C32 and Na(S)C27 respectively, where (S) represents
a molecule of solvent.
 Since the solutions of the alkali metals are relatively
unstable, the reaction must be carried out with
complete exclusion of oxygen and water-vapor.
The End