Spinodal Decomposition A Continuous Phase Transformation

Transformation-Induced Toughening Exploiting a Pressure-Induced Phase Transformation to Make Tough Ceramics 

Stress and strain effects can have an important effect on solid-solid phase transformations. Transformation toughening in ceramics is a classic example. In certain ceramic systems, such as partially stabilized zircortia, a pressure-induced phase transformation is exploited to dramatically increase the toughness of the ceramic— providing the ability to create amazingly resilient ceramic hammers, nails, knives, and other unique objects. 

LIQUID-SOLID AND SOLID-SOLID PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS 

FIGURE 6.6 (a) Volume free energy (Gy) versus composition for a system exhibiting a large 

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The thermodynamic differences between spinodal decomposition (a continuous phase transformation) and nucleation and growth (a discontinuous phase transformation) are illustrated in Figure 6.6. At a given temperature, the volume free... 

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