32 INTRODUCTION

Similarly,

aB1 wt
aB1 wt = wt B, that is, =1 1 81
wt B
from Equations 1.79, 1.80, and 1.81 we get:

aBR aH a1 wt
= B= B 1 82
γ Bo xB xB wt B

Hence,
aBR pure γ Bo xB
= 1 83
aB dilute wt wt B

For example in a Fe–Si system when xSi 0

o
aSi pure γ Si xSi xSi MFe
= since =
aSi dilute wt wt Si wt Si 100MSi
o
aSi pure γ Si MFe
=
aSi dilute wt 100MSi

Activity and interaction coefficients in multicomponent systems: Although we

have considered only binary solutions so far, in metallurgical processes we rarely deal
with binary solutions. Hence, we must take into account the interaction between var-
ious solutes in multicomponent systems. If the components of binary solutions inter-
act with one another, those of multicomponent solutions will certainly interact in a
more complex manner.
As an example, take a dilute solution of carbon in liquid iron. The Henrian activity
coefficient of carbon in the binary solution, fCC , is raised by the addition of small
amounts of sulfur and lowered by the addition of small amounts of chromium in
the solution. In liquid iron, several solutes are present in dilute concentrations, and
each thermodynamic property of the system is influenced by the change in the inter-
atomic forces. Interaction causes marked changes in solute activities and the data for
binary solutions do not apply to more complex systems.
Probable effects of one solute on the thermodynamic behavior of another solute can
be expressed by the interaction parameter (ε) and interaction coefficient (e), which are
defined as:

∂ln γ i ∂log fi
εij = and eij = 1 84
∂xj x1 1 ∂ j wt 1 100

Thus, (ε) and (e) are related to the alternative standard states in dilute solutions. If the
solute i interacts more strongly with the solute j than with the solvent 1 (in the system