Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives The student will develop a strong understanding of the derivation and use of binary alloy phase diagrams from the laws of thermodynamics, in particular the free energy concept. An appreciation should emerge that equilibrium thermodynamics is the standard methodology for interpreting data in materials science, but that, in an industry context, phase changes and departures from equilibrium are often the most critical aspects of process intervention during manufacture.
Synopsis Introductory thermodynamics; Gibbs free energy; solid solutions, partial molar quantities and activity. Positive and negative deviation from ideality. Equilibria and the phase rule. Binary phase diagrams and phase separation. Fick's laws. Diffusion. Homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation. Thermodynamics of surfaces. Nucleation and growth in a solid state. Time-temperature-transformation curves, continuous cooling curves. Non-equilibrium microstructures. Crystallisation.