Phase Diagrams and Heterogeneous Equilibria A Practical Introduction [Hardcover]

This advanced comprehensive textbook introduces the practical application of phase diagrams to the thermodynamics of materials consisting of several phases. It describes the fundamental physics and thermodynamics as well as experimental methods, treating all material classes: metals, glasses, ceramics, polymers, organic materials, aqueous solutions. With many application examples and realistic cases from chemistry and materials science, it is intended for students and researchers in chemistry, metallurgy, mineralogy, and materials science as well as in engineering and physics. The authors treat the nucleation of phase transitions, the production and stability of technologically important metastable phases, and metallic glasses. Also concisely presented are the thermodynamics and composition of polymer systems. This innovative text puts this powerful analytical approach into a readily understandable and practical context, perhaps for the first time.

Since J.W. Gibbs in 1878 succeeded comprehensively in establishing the basic principles for an understanding of equilibria in heterogeneous systems, numer? ous books concerning constitution diagrams have been written, some of them providing a formal treatment of phase equilibria down to the small detail. The purpose of the present book is to provide an introduction to the practical ap? plications of phase diagrams. In the first instance it is intended for students of chemistry, metallurgy, mineralogy and materials science, but also for engineers and students of science and engineering disciplines concerned with materials. To facilitate the start of an involvement with heterogeneous equilibria, reactions and dynamic equilibria will be treated first, since these are familiar to chemists and metallurgists. Of course, a description of phase equilibria is not possible without a mini? mum of formalism. The formalistic description, however, will be made lighter by clear explanations of experiml#…