What is the Difference Between Eutectic and Eutectoid Reaction?

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The main difference between eutectic and eutectoid reactions lies in the phase transitions involved in each process. Here's a comparison of the two reactions:

Eutectic Reaction:

  1. In this type of reaction, a liquid state with a fixed composition solidifies into two solids at a constant temperature.
  2. It is a three-phase reaction, where, upon cooling, a liquid transforms into two solid phases at the same time.
  3. A eutectic system is a homogeneous mixture of substances that can melt or solidify at a certain temperature, known as the eutectic temperature.

Eutectoid Reaction:

  1. In this type of reaction, two different solids transform into a third solid at a constant temperature.
  2. It is a two-phase reaction, where a solid transforms into two other solid phases at the same time upon cooling.

In summary, a eutectic reaction involves a liquid transforming into two solid phases, while a eutectoid reaction involves two solid phases transforming into a third solid phase at a constant temperature.

Comparative Table: Eutectic vs Eutectoid Reaction

The main difference between eutectic and eutectoid reactions lies in the phases involved in the reactions. Here is a table comparing the two types of reactions:

Feature Eutectic Reaction Eutectoid Reaction
Definition A chemical reaction in which a liquid transforms into two solid phases at the same time. A chemical reaction in which a solid transforms into two other solid phases.
Phases Involved Liquid and two solid phases. One solid phase and two other solid phases.
Temperature Occurs at the eutectic temperature, which is the lowest possible melting temperature for the given system. Occurs at the eutectoid point, which is a specific temperature for the given system.
Examples A eutectic system is a homogeneous mixture of substances that can melt or solidify at a temperature. Eutectoid reaction of iron is an example, resulting in the formation of pearlite, a mixture of ferrite and cementite.

In summary, eutectic reactions involve a liquid transforming into two solid phases at a constant temperature, while eutectoid reactions involve a solid transforming into two other solid phases at a specific temperature.