Phase diagram calculations in teaching, research, and industry

Abstract

I have a long-standing interest in alloy thermodynamics/phase diagrams and in utilizing the principles of this subject for materials research and engineering applications. At the same time, I also have a long association with ASM International as a member and a former Trustee of the Society. The Society’s initiative in promoting critical assessments of phase diagrams beginning in the late 1970s rekindled this field and stimulated further research, particularly in phase diagram calculations. Significant advancements have been made in phase diagram calculations using the Calphad approach since the late 1980s due primarily to the availability of inexpensive computers and robust software. In this article, I first present the use of computational thermodynamics including phase diagram calculation in teaching, next the use of calculated phase diagrams, particularly for multicomponent systems, for materials research/development, and manufacturing, and last describe some current research in advancing this methodology when the phases involve ordering with decreasing temperature.