The reaction that on heating one solid phase yields another solid phas...
Peritectic Reaction
A peritectic reaction refers to a type of solid-state phase transformation that occurs when one solid phase reacts with a liquid phase to form another solid phase. This reaction is typically initiated by heating the system.
Explanation:
- The peritectic reaction is characterized by the formation of a liquid phase at a specific temperature and composition, known as the peritectic temperature and peritectic composition, respectively.
- At temperatures below the peritectic temperature, the system consists of only the initial solid phase.
- As the temperature increases, the liquid phase begins to form at the peritectic composition, causing a coexistence of the initial solid phase and the liquid phase.
- The liquid phase then reacts with the initial solid phase to form a new solid phase, resulting in the disappearance of the liquid phase.
- The reaction is complete when only the new solid phase remains.
Peritectic vs. Eutectic and Eutectoid Reactions:
- While the peritectic reaction involves the formation of a liquid phase, the eutectic and eutectoid reactions involve the formation of a different solid phase.
- In a eutectic reaction, a liquid phase reacts with two or more solid phases to form a new solid phase.
- In a eutectoid reaction, one solid phase decomposes into two new solid phases without the presence of a liquid phase.
Examples of Peritectic Reactions:
- One example of a peritectic reaction is the formation of cementite (Fe3C) in steel.
- At temperatures below the peritectic temperature, the system consists of ferrite (α-Fe) as the initial solid phase.
- As the temperature increases, a liquid phase forms at the peritectic composition.
- The liquid phase reacts with the ferrite to form cementite (Fe3C), resulting in the disappearance of the liquid phase.
- Another example is the formation of silicon carbide (SiC) in the reaction between silicon (Si) and carbon (C).
- At temperatures below the peritectic temperature, the system consists of silicon as the initial solid phase.
- As the temperature increases, a liquid phase forms at the peritectic composition.
- The liquid phase reacts with silicon to form silicon carbide, resulting in the disappearance of the liquid phase.
In conclusion, a peritectic reaction refers to a phase transformation in which one solid phase reacts with a liquid phase to form another solid phase. This reaction is characterized by the formation and subsequent disappearance of the liquid phase at a specific temperature and composition.