The teaching of thermodynamics and phase equilibria in Materials Science and Engineering degree courses is becoming less popular than was previously the case despite remarkable advances over the last thirty years in computer software and databases which apply thermodynamic principles to calculate phase equilibria and provide real insight into complex industrial processes involving many different elements and phases. NPL has developed course materials to help people teaching thermodynamics make use of phase equilibrium calculation software and databases in stimulating interest and an appreciation of the relevance of thermodynamics in  their students. The "mtteach" package consists of two databases, "mttherm" and "mtapplic" which are used as part of this teaching course.

Introduction to Thermodynamics

The database "mttherm" provides data which may be used for providing an introduction to thermodynamics and phase equilibria eg. discussion of the laws of thermodynamics, state functions, ideal gas phase behaviour and equilibria with immiscible solids and non ideal phases, types of binary and ternary phase diagrams, relationship between Gibbs energy and phase equilibria, phase fraction diagrams and Scheil solidification calculations. The database is provided free with the purchase of an academic license for MTDATA. With the database students can explore the effects of changing temperature, pressure and composition on phase equilibria and perform individual calculations interactively or run through the whole series automatically. 

Applications

The database "mtapplic" is designed to emphasise the practical application of thermodynamics and is available to all MTDATA users who take part in a training course. Two extra PowerPoint presentations are also provided illustrating the variety of diagrams that can be calculated and their practical uses and providing in depth case studies of how phase equilibrium calculations have provided insight into specific applications.

For further information click here.