eutectic

[ yoo-tek-tik ]

adjective

1. of greatest fusibility: said of an alloy or mixture whose melting point is lower than that of any other alloy or mixture of the same ingredients.
2. noting or pertaining to such a mixture or its properties:

   a eutectic melting point.

noun

1. a eutectic substance.

eutectic

/ juːˈtɛktɪk /

adjective

1. (of a mixture of substances, esp an alloy) having the lowest freezing point of all possible mixtures of the substances
2. concerned with or suitable for the formation of eutectic mixtures

noun

1. a eutectic mixture
2. the temperature on a phase diagram at which a eutectic mixture forms

eutectic

/ yo̅o̅-tĕk′tĭk /

1. The proportion of constituents in an alloy or other mixture that yields the lowest possible complete melting point. In all other proportions, the mixture will not have a uniform melting point; some of the mixture will remain solid and some liquid. At the eutectic, the solidus and liquidus temperatures are the same.
2. An alloy or other mixture with constituents in the proportions of the eutectic.
3. The melting point of the eutectic.

Word History and Origins

Origin of eutectic¹

1880–85; < Greek eútēkt ( os ) easily melted, dissolved ( eu- eu- + tēktós melted) + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of eutectic¹

C19: from Greek eutēktos melting readily, from eu- + tēkein to melt

Example Sentences

For example, Thompson has identified one candidate, a mixture of acids and bases called a deep eutectic solvent, that dissolves everything but nickel.

From Science Magazine

Instead, it would use things called deep eutectic solvents to dissolve wood and separate out the lignin.

From Economist

The eutectic F.P. is of longer duration, but still at the same temperature.

From Project Gutenberg

At the peak temperature, it continued, the core experienced “melting of uranium-zirconium eutectics,” a reactor alloy.

From New York Times

A eutectic mixture results when two components solidify simultaneously at a definite temperature.

From Project Gutenberg