Distribution Coefficient
Index
The distribution coefficient, k, is a measure of the rejection ratio of impurities in a solidification process. As shown in the partial phase diagram, for a sample freezing at a temperature T (red isotherm) the impurity content of the solid is C0, and the impurity content of the liquid in contact with the freezing interface is C0/k. The ratio of the impurity content of the solid to that of the liquid is k, where k is less than one. Purification of the solid has occurred upon freezing.
From: Ashby and Jones, "Engineering Materials 2," Pergamon (1986)