EVOLUTION OF GRAIN-STRUCTURE IN THIN-FILM REACTIONS

In this paper, we examine, both experimentally and theoretically, the kinetics of formation and microstructure of product phases in thin fil m reactions, using the Nb/Al and Ti/Al systems as our prototypes. The results of calorimetry and microscopy studies are interpreted using si mple kinetic and morphology models. In particular, the kinetic models employed here focus on the nucleation and growth components of the pha se formation process and the morphology models provide a starting poin t for the classification of product grain structures.