Syllabus for ESM531

The text for the course is "Phase Transformations in Metals and Alloys" by 
D.A. Porter and K.E.  Easterling.  Chapman and Hall (2nd Ed.. 1992).  Since 
the book is currently out-of- print, arrangements have been  made to make 
available Xerox copies of the text.

The course will cover the basic classical thermodynamic principles needed
to understand equilibrium phase diagrams and the kinetics of phase changes
in liquid and solid metals and alloys.  The course is designed  for those
students who would like to deepen their knowledge and obtain both a
qualitative and quantitative understanding of phase transitions in
metallic systems of significant technological interest.

A background knowledge of the fundamental principles of classical
thermodynamics (1st Law, 2nd Law, Entropy, Gibbs Free energy etc) is
expected. Since  the kinetic principles involving the application of the
theory of diffusion in liquids and solids will be developed and applied to
phase changes, no prior knowledge of diffusion theory(Kinetics I)  is
required.  The following topics will be covered:

Syllabus for ESM531

 Review of basic thermodynamic principles

 Unary systems
  The Clausius-Clayperon equation
   - effects of pressure and temperature on phase changes

 Binary Systems
  - Gibbs Free energy of binary solutions
  - definition of ideal solutions and the entropy and free energy of mixing
  - the chemical potential and its relation to free energy of a binary solution
  - Quasi-chemical statistical approach to regular solutions
  - definition of activity and activity coefficient and its relation to chemical potential
  - relation of quasi-chemical model to real solutions
  - relation of real solutions to ordered and intermediate phases

 Heterogeneous Systems
  - molar free energy of 2-phase mixtures
  - conditions for heterogeneous equilibrium between 2 or more phases
  - relation of equilibrium to activity and chemical potential

 Binary Phase Diagrams
  - simple phase diagram
  - systems with miscibility gap
  - ordered alloys
  - simple eutectic,peritectic systems
  - systems with an intermediate phase
  - derivation of Gibbs Phase Rule
  - temperature effects on solid solubility
  - thermodynamic calculation of simple phase diagrams

 Interfaces
  - effect of interfaces on thermodynamic equilibrium
  - particle size effects on solubility

 Diffusion in Solids
  - relation of chemical potential to phase diagram
  - atomic mechanisms of diffusion
  - interstitial diffusion as a random jump process
  - Fick's 1st and 2nd Laws of diffusion-steady state and non-steady state processes
  - diffusion as a thermally activated process
  - solutions to diffusion equation for homogenization and carburization
    processes substitutional diffusion in dilute alloys role of vacancies and dislocations
  - concept of atomic mobility
  - relation of diffusion, atomic mobility and phase diagram
  - tracer diffusion in binary alloys and the thermodynamic factor
  - high diffusivity paths-dislocations and grain boundaries
  - diffusion couples and the phase diagram in binary alloys

 Solidification in Metals and Alloys
  - theory of homogeneous nucleation in pure metals
  - effects of undercooling on nucleation rates
  - theory of heterogeneous nucleation-interface effects 
    calculation of critical nucleus size
  - mechanisms of growth of crystal from the melt
  - review of alloy solidification-dendritic vs cellular

 Diffusional Transformations in Solid State
  - review of solid state transformations-civilian vs military
  - homogeneous nucleation in the solid state
  - heterogeneous nucleation effects
  - effects of crystalline imperfections
  - growth of precipitates
  - review of precipitation mechanisms in age hardening Al-alloys

 Spinodal Decomposition
  - concept of the spinodal
  - relation of spinodal to phase diagram - effects of composition 
    gradients and strain energy on decomposition
 
 Diffusionless Transformations
  - theory of martensite transformation 
  - review of the Martensite transformation in steel

JQ 07/16/01.