ArticleslgStudy

mathematics

Scheil equation

Scheil equation is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Scheil equation rather than just read about it. In short: In metallurgy, the Scheil-Gulliver equation (or Scheil equation) describes solute redistribution during solidification of an alloy. Assumptions Four key assumptions in Scheil analysis enable determination of phases present in a cast part.

Scheil equation — main illustration
Scheil equation — illustration

Key takeaways

  • Scheil equation belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Scheil equation to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Scheil equation from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In metallurgy, the Scheil-Gulliver equation (or Scheil equation) describes solute redistribution during solidification of an alloy.

Assumptions Four key assumptions in Scheil analysis enable determination of phases present in a cast part. These assumptions are:

No diffusion occurs in solid phases once they are formed ( D S = 0 {\displaystyle \ D_{S}=0} ) Infinitely fast diffusion occurs in the liquid at all temperatures by virtue of a high diffusion coefficient, thermal convection, Marangoni convection, etc. ( D L = ∞ {\displaystyle \ D_{L}=\infty } ) Equilibrium exists at the solid-liquid interface, and so compositions from the phase diagram are valid Solidus and liquidus are straight segments The fourth condition (straight solidus/liquidus segments) may be relaxed when numerical techniques are used, such as those used in CALPHAD software packages, though these calculations rely on calculated equilibrium phase diagrams. Calculated diagrams may include odd artifacts (i.e. retrograde solubility) that influence Scheil calculations.

Derivation

The hatched areas in the figure represent the amount of solute in the solid and liquid. Considering that the total amount of solute in the system must be conserved, the areas are set equal as follows:

( C L − C S ) d f S = ( f L ) d C L {\displaystyle (C_{L}-C_{S})\ df_{S}=(f_{L})\ dC_{L}} . Since the partition coefficient (related to solute distribution) is

k = C S C L {\displaystyle k={\frac {C_{S}}{C_{L}}}} (determined from the phase diagram) and mass must be conserved

f S + f L = 1 {\displaystyle \ f_{S}+f_{L}=1}

the mass balance may be rewritten as

C L ( 1 − k ) d f S = ( 1 − f S ) d C L {\displaystyle C_{L}(1-k)\ df_{S}=(1-f_{S})\ dC_{L}} . Using the boundary condition

C L = C o {\displaystyle \ C_{L}=C_{o}} at f S = 0 {\displaystyle \ f_{S}=0}

the following integration may be performed:

∫ 0 f S d f S 1 − f S = 1 1 − k ∫ C o C L d C L C L {\displaystyle \displaystyle \int _{0}^{f_{S}}{\frac {df_{S}}{1-f_{S}}}={\frac {1}{1-k}}\displaystyle \int _{C_{o}}^{C_{L}}{\frac {dC_{L}}{C_{L}}}} . Integrating results in the Scheil-Gulliver equation for composition of the liquid during solidification:

C L = C o ( f L ) k − 1 {\displaystyle \ C_{L}=C_{o}(f_{L})^{k-1}}

or for the composition of the solid:

C S = k C o ( 1 − f S ) k − 1 {\displaystyle \ C_{S}=kC_{o}(1-f_{S})^{k-1}} .

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Illustrations

Scheil equation: Solidification of a binary Cu Zn alloy, with composition of 30% of Zinc in weight, using open version of Computherm Pandat. Red line is following lever rule, while Scheil  model applies to the blue one
Solidification of a binary Cu Zn alloy, with composition of 30% of Zinc in weight, using open version of Computherm Pandat. Red line is following lever rule, while Scheil model applies to the blue one
Scheil equation illustration
Scheil equation: Different levels of solid fractions ( in red ) in the phase diagram of Copper and Zinc. Levels are from solid fraction fs=0.8 in steps down to 0.2
Different levels of solid fractions ( in red ) in the phase diagram of Copper and Zinc. Levels are from solid fraction fs=0.8 in steps down to 0.2
Scheil equation: Scheil solidification of a copper zinc alloy, temperature in blue, numerical derivative of temperature with the opposite of solid fraction is red
Scheil solidification of a copper zinc alloy, temperature in blue, numerical derivative of temperature with the opposite of solid fraction is red

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Scheil equation

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Scheil equation claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Scheil equation before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Scheil equation ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Scheil equation

In research
Scheil equation appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Scheil equation in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Scheil equation is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Differential equations, Metallurgy, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Scheil equation outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

Affiliate

Preply — study more efficiently by working with a personal tutor. 50% off.

How to study Scheil equation in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Scheil equation means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Scheil equation out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Scheil equation in simple terms?

In metallurgy, the Scheil-Gulliver equation (or Scheil equation) describes solute redistribution during solidification of an alloy. Assumptions Four key assumptions in Scheil analysis enable determination of phases present in a cast part.

Why does Scheil equation matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Scheil equation?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Scheil equation.

Tags

  • Differential equations
  • Metallurgy

Keep exploring