This book is devoted to the fundamentals of the theoretical analysis of phase equilibrium diagrams. Phase diagrams are known to play an important role in met- allurgy and materials science, chemical engineering, petroleum refining, etc. A study of phase diagrams can help in choosing the optimal composition of mixtures and alloys and in determining the appropriate conditions for their thermal treatment, as well as in determining the efficiency of such processes as distillation, rectifica- tion, zone refining, and controlled crystallization for the separation and purifi(;ation of materials. In...