Course content

Short repetition of the 1., 2., and 3. law of thermodynamics. Phase transitions. The thermodynamics of solutions with emphasis on inorganic and metallic systems. Gibbs Phase law applied on liquid/solid, gas/solid and solid/solid phase equilibria. Phase diagrams for 1, 2, 3 and multi component systems with emphasis on systems of relevance for important metallurgical systems and inorganic materials. Demonstration of commercial thermodynamic computer programs.

Learning outcome

The students are expected to know the concepts of thermodynamics of solutions and apply these to analyse experimental data and apply the ideal solution model and the regular solution models on solid and liquid solutions of alloys and inorganic materials.
The students shall be able to calculate the chemical activity and activity coefficient from experimental data and relate these to solutions models.
After the course the student should be able to compute binary phase diagrams based on ideal and regular solution models.
The course shall give an introduction to the Gibbs phase rule and the principle concepts of single, binary and ternary phase diagrams including predominance diagrams and to be able to extract useful information from phase diagrams relevant for materials production and material processing.

Learning methods and activities

The course is taught through lectures and group exercises. The exercises are compulsory and 50% must be approved. Final grade in the course is based on portfolio assessment. The portfolio includes written final examination (76%) as well as two semester tests counting 12% each. The evaluation of the different parts is given in %points while the final grade for the whole folder is given by a letter grade. If there is a re-sit examination, the examination form may be changed from written to oral.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

Knowledge equivalent to TMT4275, Thermodynamics and Phasediagrams, TKJ4160 Physical Chemistry (see course description for 2009/10) or Chapters 1-7 in Gaskell, D. R: 'Introduction to the Themodynamics of Materials', 4. edition, Taylor & Francis (2003). Some knowledge in chemical thermodynamics or physical chemistry.

Course materials

Svein Stølen and Tor Grande, Thermodynamics of Materials, John Wiley & sons, Ltd (2004). Lecture notes and exercises.

Credit reductions