Model for coarsening of intergranular precipitates in multicomponent systems

Based on the thermodynamic extremal principle, a model for coarsening of intergranular precipitates in multicomponent systems is developed. The model provides the evolution equations for individual precipitates within the mean-field approach and generalizes the recent models applicable only to a special binary system. Simulations based on the model are performed for precipitates with the starting LSW size distribution, which changes after a certain time to a quasi-stationary one with a t1/4t1/4 growth law, in agreement with recent models.