Phase Transformations\rFundamentals of Materials Science

Abstract

The manipulation of the microstructure of materials belongs to the heart of the realm of materials science. Often, but not always, non-equilibrium structures/states are produced purposely. The goal of the invoked microstructural changes is to bring about favourable values for the material properties of interest in the application of the material concerned. Mechanical treatments in combination with heat treatments, such as cold rolling followed by annealing to induce recrystallization, provide one example, which is discussed in Chap. 10. Very often the microstructure is changed by deliberately generated phase transformations, which are the focal point of interest in this chapter. A classical example involves (see Fig. 9.1 pertaining to a binary system, and see also Chap. 7)