Phase Equilibria Diagrams

"...The best available source of phase diagrams of ceramic systems"

"I highly recommend the database because it is comprehensive and fully vetted by NIST. We trust the diagrams in the database."

William Fahrenholtz, professor of ceramic engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology

Read more about how Fahrenholtz uses ACerS-NIST Phase Equilibria Diagrams in this interview with AZO Materials.

“I played around with the ceramic phase diagram software (it's extremely awesome). I found all 3 phase diagram types for systems of alumina, ceria and zirconia. Alumina seems to be fine with ceria as long as we are below 1750ºC, but funky things happen with ceria and zirconia at high temperatures. Doing actual analysis and powder synthesis made me appreciate the software a lot more. I will use alumina trays or boats of some sort instead of zirconia.”

“... extremely useful for identifying new areas of research.“

“I want to express my very strong support for the ACerS-NIST Phase Diagram program. Over the decades of my leading a research group at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and now as a university faculty member I have regularly looked to the compendia of phase diagrams for fundamental information for my and my group’s research. The documentation together with the carefully assessed diagrams is a tremendously extensive database that can be consistently relied upon. I have referred countless colleagues to the Phase Equilibrium Diagrams as an important resource for their research and development efforts.”

“When focusing on materials design and discovery, whether in computationally- or experimentally-led endeavors, starting with phase equilibria is of primal importance. Having a curated and centralized database of phase diagrams such as the PED maintained by ACerS-NIST is an essential resource supporting the advancement of ceramics.”

We rely on access to Phase Equilibria Diagrams for both our research and in teaching. In my research, we utilize them on a weekly basis. Students are often synthesizing compounds for solid state battery work and need to select appropriate process temperatures based on guidance from phase diagrams. In my research on glasses as catalysts for diesel particulate filters access to phase diagrams has been invaluable for selecting compositions and in devising new glass formulations. I also use Phase Equilibria Diagrams in my teaching. I regularly illustrate concepts in materials processing by utilizing phase diagrams. I also use them in teaching students how to decipher ternary phase diagrams. I strongly support continuation of the ACerS-NIST phase diagram project.

“Phase diagrams are critical to understanding stability, developing processing procedures and identifying new materials. Having a compilation of the available phase equilibrium data that are reviewed and searchable is an invaluable resource for materials scientists and engineers.”

“...saves me a lot of time...“

“Trying to work without consulting a phase diagram first is like trying to travel without a map—and ACerS is the best source of maps around— it’s the Rand McNally Atlas of ceramics.”

The ACerS phase diagram database is a useful tool as it provides quick access for searching through various ceramic systems. It is much more efficient than trying to comb through individual papers. In addition to pulling up the actual phase diagrams, the database also provides a valuable insight into what work has been done in various systems.

We are in the business of developing new materials that are based on ceramics/glasses and therefore regularly have to refer to the phase diagrams. We use both old paper versions we have on the bookshelves but for internal reports and presentations having the electronic versions present makes it much easier to pinpoint the areas of phase diagrams we are working in. The binary and ternary diagrams are the most useful for us.