This Module Has Been Designed As A Basic Introduction To

This module has been designed as a basic introduction to many of the concepts associated with phase diagrams. As such, little or no pre-knowledge of phase diagrams is assumed. Before developing the software, a series of interviews with a range of 1st year UK materials science students was conducted with the aim of identifying the major areas of conceptual difficulty in the area of phase diagrams. The main results of these interviews are summarised as follows: · The concept of time was often associated with equilibrium phase diagrams, in that equilibrium alloy constitution, microstructure, etc. were described as varying with time, rather than with temperature. This is an understandable, albeit undesirable misconception, which probably results from the study of microstructural change in alloys during cooling. · Nearly half the students had difficulty in distinguishing between the terms phase and phase region (on a diagram). · Common misuse of the terms component (usually denoted by capital letters, A, B,...) and phase (denoted by Greek letters a, b,...). · Inability to define the terms constitution, equilibrium, phase satisfactorily. In designing the software, deliberate attempts have been made to divorce the concept of time from that of equilibrium constitution. On page 9 of the section Thermal Analysis, a series of cooling curves (temperature - time axes) are ‘collapsed’ into vertical lines so that only the transformation temperatures remain - it is stressed that time is no longer a consideration. One of the relative advantages of interactive computer-based learning software over textbooks is the ability to hyperlink text to a glossary such that definitions of important terms can be accessed immediately. This accessibility can only be beneficial in encouraging a more precise usage of scientific terminology amongst students. Module Structure The module comprises 4 main sections: · Construction of Phase Diagrams from Thermal Analysis Data · Alloy Constitution · Simple Alloy Systems · Eutectic Alloy Systems Construction of Phase Diagrams from Thermal Analysis Data