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Prediction of the size distribution of precipitates
Author(s) -
Prikhodovsky Andrey
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
steel research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1869-344X
pISSN - 0177-4832
DOI - 10.1002/srin.200100160
Subject(s) - ostwald ripening , nucleation , particle (ecology) , precipitation , particle size distribution , materials science , austenite , thermodynamics , particle size , surface energy , metallurgy , statistical physics , chemistry , nanotechnology , physics , composite material , microstructure , geology , oceanography , meteorology
Modelling has proven to be an efficient way of cutting the time and costs associated with the investigation of materials properties. A new mathematical model for the prediction of the particle size distribution of precipitates has been developed. The model allows the description of all stages of the precipitation process: nucleation, growth and Ostwald ripening of particles. The incorporation of existing thermodynamic databases allows the simulation of a formation of dispersed phases in commercial multicomponent alloys. The influence of the model parameters on the final particle size distribution was investigated with the example of NbC formation in austenite. It was shown that the interfacial energy of a particle‐matrix interface has the most significant effect on the final particle arrangement. A pre‐exponential factor, which is the subject of nucleation theories, plays a less significant role in the final particle arrangement.