4.2.7: The Lever Rule

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If an alloy consists of more than one phase, the amount of each phase present can be found by applying the lever rule to the phase diagram.

The lever rule can be explained by considering a simple balance. The composition of the alloy is represented by the fulcrum, and the compositions of the two phases by the ends of a bar. The proportions of the phases present are determined by the weights needed to balance the system.

So,

fraction of phase 1 = (C₂ - C) / (C₂ - C₁)

and,

fraction of phase 2 = (C - C₁) / (C₂ - C₁).

Lever rule applied to a binary system

Point 1

At point 1 the alloy is completely liquid, with a composition C. Let

C = 65 weight% B.

Point 2

At point 2 the alloy has cooled as far as the liquidus, and solid phase β starts to form. Phase β first forms with a composition of 96 weight% B. The green dashed line below is an example of a tie-line. A tie-line is a horizontal (i.e., constant-temperature) line through the chosen point, which intersects the phase boundary lines on either side.

Part of a phase diagram

Point 3

A tie-line is drawn through the point, and the lever rule is applied to identify the proportions of phases present.

Part of a phase diagram

Intersection of the lines gives compositions C₁ and C₂ as shown.

Let

C₁ = 58 weight% B

and

C₂ = 92 weight% B

So,

fraction of solid β = (65 - 58) / (92 - 58) = 20 weight%

and

fraction of liquid = (92 - 65) / (92 - 58) = 80 weight%

Point 4

Part of a phase diagram

Let

C₃ = 48 weight% B

and

C₄ = 87 weight% B

fraction of solid β = (65 - 48) / (87 - 48) = 44 weight%.

As the alloy is cooled, more solid β phase forms.

At point 4, the remainder of the liquid becomes a eutectic phase of α+β and

fraction of eutectic = 56 weight%

Point 5

Part of a phase diagram

Let

C₅ = 9 weight% B

and

C₆ = 91 weight% B

fraction of solid β = (65 - 9) / (91 - 9) = 68 weight%

and

fraction of solid α = (91 - 65) / (91 - 9) = 32 weight%.