A MICROMECHANISTIC MODEL OF THE COMBUSTION SYNTHESIS PROCESS .2. NUMERICAL-SIMULATION

A series of computer experiments was conducted for the self-propagatin g combustion synthesis process in the Nb-C system, based on the genera l theoretical model that was developed previously.(1) A detailed and q uantitative description was given for the various physical and chemica l processes that take place during the combustion synthesis process. T he results are presented at various length scales in order to provide an insight into understanding the mechanisms that are responsible for the self-propagating behavior. It was shown that a fundamental underst anding and precise control of the process require a strong emphasis on the joint contributions of the rates of the various mass and energy r edistribution processes that occur during the combustion synthesis pro cess. A proper balance of each of the elementary process rates must be achieved to give rise to self-propagating behavior. This paper illust rates some of the capabilities of the general theoretical model in qua ntitatively describing the self-propagating combustion synthesis proce ss.