A new kinetic model for precipitation from solid solutions

Abstract

This model considers reversible elementary acts of migration of point defects (interstitials and/or vacancies) across the precipitate-matrix interface and enables one to derive equations for the rates of emission and absorption of solute atoms at the interface. The model predicts much stronger heterophase fluctuations and higher nucleation rates than the classical nucleation theory does. However, asymptotically, for large precipitate sizes and long ageing times, both models give the same results, being in agreement with the Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner theory of coarsening.