Thermodynamic properties and phase stability of nanocrystalline metals

The fundamental thermodynamic functions of enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy, as functions of the excess free volume at interfaces, temperature, and grain size, have been derived for single-phase metal nanocrystals. The model was applied to predict the thermal features of nano-grain boundaries and the characteristics of phase transformation in nanocrystalline metals, such as the transformation temperature and the critical grain size for phase transformation at a given temperature. The model predictions have been verified by experimental studies on the β-Co ↔ α-Co phase transformation in nanocrystalline Co prepared by ball milling.