01-10-2018, 10:17 PM
Sure, it's been a while since I've discussed them, so that's a good place for me to start as well.
First, the usual ones to start with are binary equilibrium phase diagrams. That means there are only 2 elements, and heating and cooling rates are very slow, ie at equilibrium. Adding even trace amounts of other elements can change the diagram. Heating or cooling rapidly will change them too. This leads to their main drawback. Few things are processed at equilibrium, and few systems are as simple as just two elements.
First, the usual ones to start with are binary equilibrium phase diagrams. That means there are only 2 elements, and heating and cooling rates are very slow, ie at equilibrium. Adding even trace amounts of other elements can change the diagram. Heating or cooling rapidly will change them too. This leads to their main drawback. Few things are processed at equilibrium, and few systems are as simple as just two elements.