Elastic wavefield interactions with solute species during precipitation processes in solids

The linear coupling of elastic deformations and solute diffusion in solids produces effects such as strain-induced diffusion and solute-induced dilatation. Beyond linear theory, there are significant physical effects that must be described using the nonlinear coupling of solute concentration to elastic stiffness. This coupling is developed using a continuum, thermodynamic approach that considers the possible effects that might arise in elastic solids containing a mobile solute species. The related effects of solute concentration on elastic wavespeeds during precipitation processes are modeled and are compared to previously reported experimental results obtained in an aluminum alloy.