Understanding of the mechanisms governing diffusion-controlled solid-state phase transformations. The participants will learn how to calculate nucleation rates and growth rates/phase boundary velocity determined from chemical potentials and interface/atomic mobilities. Application and understanding of fundamental concepts for nucleation, growth and coarsening of second phases.

- Derivation of the fundamental equation for the nucleation rate based on the concepts of Classical Nucleation Theory.
- Analysis of interphase boundary growth rates in the limit of spherical/cylindrical/planar geometry.
- Kolmogorov/Johnson/Mehl/Avrami theory of phase transformation.
- Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner theory of precipitate coarsening.
- Diffusion in multi-component systems.
- Application of the theories to solid-state phase transformation with special emphasis on precipitation processes.

oral exam

Some fundamental understanding of the microstructure of metallic materials is advantageous. Diffusion mechanisms and defects in polycrystalline materials. Phase equilibria, chemical potentials and driving forces.