An Examination of Diffusion Paths in Terms of Interdiffusion Fluxes and Interdiffusion Coefficients

Selected diffusion couples investigated in the Cu-based and Fe-based multicomponent systems are examined for diffusion path development, zero-flux planes, uphill diffusion, and internal constraints for diffusion paths. The couples are analyzed for interdiffusion fluxes and interdiffusion coefficients with the aid of the “MultiDiFlux” program. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors are also determined from the interdiffusion coefficients determined over various ranges of composition in the diffusion zone. Slopes of diffusion paths at selected sections, including the path ends, are related to interdiffusion coefficients, interdiffusion fluxes and/or eigenvectors. These relations are explored with selected single phase diffusion couples in the Cu-Ni-Zn and Fe-Ni-Al systems and the calculated path slopes are compared with those directly determined from the concentration profiles. Relations between the gradient of interdiffusion flux and the concentration gradient are examined for each component in a two-phase Cu-Ni-Zn diffusion couple. The research is supported by the National Science Foundation.