Graphical approach to the matano interface

Transport phenomena, its basic theory and definitions, are extremely important topics for today's research in science and engineering. To visualize its multiple applications, a clear conceptual understanding is required. Matano's Interface is among the most relevant topics in diffusion, being an intermediate step to obtain the diffusivity parameter in an experimental data series. Since this concept is described by a mathematical formulation, the main objective of this article is to explain a graphical procedure, to approach Matano's Interface location inside a diffusion couple. A concentration and penetration profile in a diffusion couple is randomly divided first, to establish two areas which represent the amount of diffused mass into the system. This two areas are approximated by dividing them in simple geometric figures, referred to Matano's Interface value. Since a mass balance has to be found, the two representative areas has to be equal, and Matano's Interface can be approximated. An example is analyzed to observe how this method can be executed.