Thermodynamics and Phase Transformations

Abstract

The aim of the course is to provide a theoretical background to phase transformations and the constitution of microstructures. This includes the thermodynamic basis of phase equilibria, diffusional and difussionless transformations, properties of surfaces and interfaces, and the understanding of how through variations of processing conditions a material with specific properties can be tailored.

Objective

The lecture gives a detailed understanding of important aspects in materials science, with special emphasis on thermodynamics and phase transformations, mostly related to metallic materials.

Content

Topics of the lecture part are thermodynamics and phase diagrams; crystal interfaces and microstructure; defects in solids; interactions between them; solidification; recovery and recrystallization; diffusional transformations in solids; and diffusionless transformations. Approximately eight assignments will be distributed and the students are asked to solve these assignments at home. For carefully solved assignments students will receive up to 0.25 grade points to improve the total course unit grade. The assignments will be discussed in detail in the course unit 327-0415-00 U. In 327-0415-00 P, we will offer experimental projects that are related to the lecture, such as alloy production, casting, annealing, microstructure analysis, and studies of thermophysical and mechanical properties. Here it is our aim that the students gain detailed knowledge of the lecture subject via "project-based learning". We will also teach various modeling tools to simulate properties of metallic alloys. This includes introduction to python; (kinetic) Monte Carlo of 2D binary alloys; simulations of dislocations moving through a 2D pinning field; 1D dislocation dynamics; and the solving of ordinary and partial differential equations with respect to diffusion. This more theoretical part is also strongly related to the lecture, with the aim that the students gain detailed knowledge of the lecture subject via the modeling of simplified systems in 2D.

Resources