MS1016: Thermodynamics of Materials

Academic Units3
Semester1
Pre-requisite(s)Nil
Co-requisite(s)MS1017

Course Instructor

Asst Prof Ng Wei Tat, Leonard

Course AIMS

This course aims to acquaint you with the basic concepts and laws of thermodynamics and expose you to how thermodynamics is applied to various classes of materials and related phenomena. Emphasis has also been placed on the connections between thermodynamic concepts and materials phenomena. It is essential for successful materials scientists and engineers to acquire basic knowledge on thermodynamics which is devoted to the study of energy and its transformations.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you (as a student) would be able to:

  1.  Explain the 1st law of thermodynamics and its applications to close and open systems.
  2.  Explain the 2nd law of thermodynamics, and describe the difference between a reversible process and an irreversible process.
  3.  Explain Maxwell’s relations and describe their applications to deriving thermodynamic properties.
  4.  Calculate partial molar volumes, volume of mixing and entropy of mixing for a binary solution.
  5.  Describe the condition of equilibrium between two states, and apply it to derive the Clausius -Clapeyron equation and explain vapor equilibria.
  6.  Describe the difference between 1st-order and 2nd-order phase transitions.
  7.  Describe chemical equilibrium and calculate the equilibrium constant.
  8.  Describe the thermodynamics of solutions.
  9.  Explain the Gibbs phase rule, and use it to describe phase diagrams.
  10.  Explain the lever rule and its application.
  11.  Describe the phase rule for condensed systems and eutectic phase  diagrams.
  12.  Describe three -component phase diagrams.
  13.  Explain electrochemical equilibrium, and apply Nernst equation to calculate electrochemical equilibrium.

Course Content

Imperfections in solids, diffusion in solid systems, interface movement and solidification (includes nucleation, grain growth and further solidification), phase transformations and kinetics in solids (emphasis on steels).

Reading and References

Suggested reading:
  • Thermodynamics of Materials Vol I, David V Ragone, John Wiley & Sons Inc, 1995.
  • Introduction to the Thermodynamics of Materials,6th edition, David R Gaskell, David ELaughlin, CRC Press, 2018.