CHAPTER 4: DIFFUSION IN SOLIDS
Study Notes for Exam Preparation
1. Introduction to Diffusion
Diffusion is the phenomenon of material transport by atomic motion [cite: 233]. It involves the
movement of particles from high-concentration areas to low-concentration areas to achieve
uniform distribution [cite: 231].
• Interdiffusion (Impurity Diffusion): Process where atoms of one metal diffuse into
another [cite: 254, 275].
• Self-diffusion: Atomic migration in pure metals where all atoms are of the same type
[cite: 258, 284].
• Mechanism Principle: Motion is a result of random movements of atoms rather than the
action of a force [cite: 232].
2. Diffusion Mechanisms
For an atom to move, two conditions must be met: there must be an empty adjacent site, and
the atom must have sufficient energy to break bonds with its neighbors [cite: 298, 299].
A. Vacancy Diffusion
The interchange of an atom from a normal lattice position to an adjacent vacant site [cite:
307]. Both self-diffusion and inter-diffusion occur via this mechanism [cite: 319].
B. Interstitial Diffusion
Smaller atoms (e.g., Hydrogen, Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen) migrate between empty
interstitial positions [cite: 328, 329]. This is generally more rapid than vacancy diffusion
because these atoms are smaller and more mobile [cite: 330].
3. Modeling Diffusion (Flux)
Diffusion flux (J) is defined as the mass (or number of atoms) diffusing through and
perpendicular to a unit area per unit time [cite: 351].
J = M / (A × t) [cite: 353]
• Units: kg / (m2 · s) or atoms / (m2 · s) [cite: 354, 368].
4. Fick's Laws
Steady-State Diffusion (Fick's First Law)
Occurs when the concentration profile does not change with time (dc/dt = 0) [cite: 343, 347]. Flux
is proportional to the concentration gradient [cite: 370]:
J = −D (dC / dx) [cite: 369]
Where D is the diffusion coefficient and dC/dx is the concentration gradient (the driving force)
[cite: 369, 370].
Non-Steady-State Diffusion (Fick's Second Law)
A time-dependent process where the rate of diffusion varies with time (dc/dt ≠ 0) [cite: 340, 385].
∂C / ∂t = D (∂2C / ∂x2) [cite: 392]
5. Factors Influencing Diffusion
• Temperature: Has a profound influence. As temperature increases, the diffusion
coefficient increases exponentially [cite: 404, 405].
D = D0 exp(−Qd / RT) [cite: 405]
• Diffusing Species: The magnitude of D depends on both the diffusing atom and the host
material [cite: 401, 402].
• Microstructure and Host Material: Influence the pathways and energy barriers for
diffusion [cite: 406].
6. Major Applications
• Heat Treatment of Steels: Carburizing (adding Carbon) and Nitriding (adding Nitrogen)
to harden surfaces [cite: 411].
• Semiconductor Fabrication: Doping silicon to control electrical properties and form p-n
junctions [cite: 411].
• Surface Protection: Formation of protective layers to improve corrosion resistance [cite:
411].
• Sintering (Powder Metallurgy): Diffusion bonds powder particles together [cite: 411].
• Alloy Formation: Mixing elements at the atomic level [cite: 411].
End of Study Guide - Chapter 4