In a
physical or
geochemical system, a
solvus is a line (binary system) or surface (ternary system) on a
phase diagram which separates a homogeneous
solid solution from a field of several phases which may form by
exsolution or
incongruent melting. The line determines a solid solubility limit which changes as a function of temperature. It is a locus of points on the equilibrium diagram. An example is the formation of
perthite when an alkali
feldspar is cooled down. It defines the limit of solid solubility in an equilibrium diagram.