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10 - Phase Transformation PDF
10 - Phase Transformation PDF
Phase transformation
Phase transformation Formation of a new phase having a
distinct physical/chemical character and/or a different structure
than the parent phase.
It involves two phenomena Nucleation and Growth
Nucleation formation of a nucleus or tiny particles of the
new phase.
A nucleus is formed when the Gibbs free energy, G, of the
system decreases i.e. G becomes negative.
Two types of nucleation Heterogeneous and Homogeneous
Growth Increase in size of the nucleus at the expense of the
parent phase.
Homogeneous nucleation
In homogeneous nucleation the probability of nucleation is
same throughout the volume of the parent phase.
The simplest example of nucleation is solidification of a metal.
Above melting point Tm, liquid free energy, Gl < Gs (Solid free
energy) and free energy change for solidification G > 0.
Below Tm, G < 0 and nuclei of the solid phase form.
Homogeneous nucleation
There are two contributions to free energy change, volume
free energy Gv and surface free energy, due to creation of a
new surface.
Taking the nucleus as a spherical particle of radius r
G = 4/3r3Gv + 4r2 ------------------ (1)
The tiny particle of the solid that forms first will be stable only
when it achieves a critical radius (r*). Below the critical radius it
is unstable and is called embryo.
Since this happens at the maximum of the G vs. r curve
dG /dr = 4r2Gv + 8r = 0
2
r
*
16 3
Gv
IL = IS + SL cos
2
r
SG
L v
With a similar approach it can be shown that and
4 3
G *Het ( 2 3 cos cos 3
) G *Hom S( )
3( Gv ) 2