solid solution

solid solution

n.

A homogeneous crystalline structure in which one or more types of atoms or molecules may be partly substituted for the original atoms and molecules without changing the structure.

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solid solution

A uniform mixture of substances in solid form. Solid solutions often consist of two or more types of atoms or molecules that share a crystal lattice, as in certain metal alloys. Much of the steel used in construction, for example, is actually a solid solution of iron and carbon. The carbon atoms, which fit neatly within the iron's crystal lattice, add strength to its structure.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

solid solution - a homogeneous solid that can exist over a range of component chemicals; a constituent of alloys that is formed when atoms of an element are incorporated into the crystals of a metal primary solid solution alloy, metal - a mixture containing two or more metallic elements or metallic and nonmetallic elements usually fused together or dissolving into each other when molten; "brass is an alloy of zinc and copper" solution - a homogeneous mixture of two or more substances; frequently (but not necessarily) a liquid solution; "he used a solution of peroxide and water" austenite - a solid solution of ferric carbide or carbon in iron; cools to form pearlite or martensite ferrite - a solid solution in which alpha iron is the solvent martensite - a solid solution of carbon in alpha-iron that is formed when steel is cooled so rapidly that the change from austenite to pearlite is suppressed; responsible for the hardness of quenched steel double salt - a solution of two simple salts that forms a single substance on crystallization