University of Virginia, Department of Materials Science and Engineering

MSE 3050: Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Materials
Fall 2009, Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 - 10:45
Wilsdorf Hall, Room 101
animated gif file Instructor: Leonid V. Zhigilei
Office: Wilsdorf Hall 303D
Office Hours: open
Help Session: to be determined
Telephone: (434) 243 3582
E-mail: lz2n@virginia.edu

Teaching Assistant: Kathleen Shugart
Office: Wilsdorf Hall 111
E-mail: kns9a@virginia.edu

Web: http://www.people.virginia.edu/~lz2n/mse305/
Class e-mail: 09f-mse-3050-1@collab.itc.virginia.edu



Grading: Homework 25%; Mid-Term Exams 30%; Final 45%

Homework #1 was due Thursday, September 10
Homework #2 was due Tuesday, September 22
Homework #3 was due Thursday, October 1
Review session - Friday, October 9, 4:00pm, Wilsdorf Hall, Room 101
Mid-Term Exam - Tuesday, October 13
Homework #4 was due Thursday, October 22
Homework #5 was due Tuesday, November 3
Computer Laboratory (and homework #6) - Thursday, November 5, 9:30am, ITC Computer Lab in Thornton Hall (A233)
Review session - Monday, November 9, 6:00pm, Wilsdorf Hall, Room 101
Mid-Term Exam - Thursday, November 12
Homework #7 is due Thursday, December 3

Abstract: In this course we start from a brief review of classical thermodynamics necessary for understanding of phase diagrams. We will then apply the thermodynamic concepts to the analysis of phase equilibria and phase transformations in one-component and multi-component systems. We will learn how to read and analyze phase diagrams of real materials and how to construct phase diagrams from thermodynamic data. In the last part of the course we will consider the basic concepts of kinetic phenomena in materials. Most kinetic phenomena in condensed matter involve diffusion and we will focus on the mechanisms of diffusion in materials as well as on the analytical and numerical methods to describe diffusion. By the end of the course we will see how the interplay of thermodynamic driving forces and kinetics of mass transfer is defining the formation of complex microstructure of real materials.

Main (optional) text: D. A. Porter and K. E. Easterling, Phase Transformations in Metals and Alloys, 2nd edition, Chapman & Hall, London, UK, 1992 (TN690 .P597 - placed on reserve circulate, Science and Engineering Library). This textbook (2nd edition) was reprinted by CRC Press in 2003; 3rd edition was published by CRC Press in 2009.

Lecture notes: will appear at this Web page as course progresses.

Optional text (placed on reserve circulate, Science and Engineering Library): D. R. Gaskell, Introduction to the Thermodynamics of Materials, 4th edition, New York: Taylor & Francis, 2003 (TN673 .G33 2003)

In the first part of this course, when we review the fundamentals of thermodynamics, it would be useful for you to read sections of Gaskell's book suggested in the lecture notes. You may also want to look for more compact and sometimes more clear explanations given in Porter and Easterling. Please keep in mind that notation varies from textbook to textbook; nevertheless, looking into different textbooks may help to clarify complicated topics and provide additional examples.

Kinetics is not covered in Gaskell. In the second part of the course the main source of material will come from the lecture notes and from Porter and Easterling.

Syllabus in pdf


Topics that are covered include:

Introduction     Notes
Short review of mathematical methods in thermodynamics by S. M. Blinder

Review of classical thermodynamics

Phase Transitions and Phase Diagrams
Kinetics     Notes


lz2n@virginia.edu     Computational Materials Group     Materials Science & Engineering