THERMODYNAMICS OF MATERIALS

Course Credit Structure: (3:1:0) for UG Students 

Objective: The main objective is to introduce students to the Laws of Thermodynamics and their applications to various metallurgical systems. Thermodynamics of Materials provides the framework for understanding chemical stability of materials. An understanding of these key concepts is essential for scientific design in the field of materials engineering. The structure of materials can always be correlated with the basic interplay of thermodynamics and kinetics. An in-depth understanding of this subject will impart clarity in deciphering and further optimizing material properties.

Contents of the course: The course will introduce basic concepts such as equilibrium, heat capacity, enthalpy and the first law of thermodynamics from materials design perspective. The idea of entropy and the second law of thermodynamics will be covered. Free energy as a criterion for phase stability, phase stability in once components systems, thermodynamics of solutions, free energy-composition diagrams and the basis of phase diagrams; phase stability and Ellingham diagrams. A brief introduction to how fast reactions occur will be made: Arrhenius law and reaction kinetics.

Course Outcomes.

• • An understanding of different laws of thermodynamics and related thermodynamic quantities.

• • An appreciation of phase stability and the driving force for phase transformations.

• • A grasp of the origin of phase diagrams for any system.

• • Be equipped with fundamental knowledge that will enable them to handle materials modeling courses, e.g. on ThermoCalc.

• • Understand the basic mechanism of the microstructure level phenomenon in terms of thermo dynamical approach.

• • Will be equipped for proper design and selection of materials for different engineering application purposes by applying the in detailed knowledge of the thermodynamics and kinetics.