A new theory of nucleation

Abstract

The classical nucleation and growth model is modified and it is shown that the concept of fluctuations, instability and surface energy is not needed and that (as applies for glass transition) nucleation is a common example of the kinetic theory of structural change processes, with a special driving force and a special property of the activation volume parameter. This last follows from explanation of diffusion tests. This new nucleation equation leads to a new vision on heterogeneous nucleation, applicable to solids. The equation also provides, as necessary, the theoretical equation of the thus far empirical C-curves of the time-temperature-transformation diagrams (TTT-diagrams). © 2011 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.