Prediction of Microstructure

Thermodynamic calculations give an indication of likely phases but give no information about
- How phase is distributed
  - Particle size, spacing and location
- How microstructure changes as function of time
  - Transformation of metastable phases
  - Evolution of volume fraction of phase and particle size distribution
These factors depend on phase transformation kinetics and are critical in determining microstructure and hence properties

Thermodynamic calculations give an indication of likely phases but give no information about