13. Glossary

Coalescence; coarsening

Third and final stage of precipitation, during which the average size of precipitates increases, and their numerical density decreases. During this stage, precipitates smaller than the critical radius dissolve in favor of larger precipitates.

Growth; growth

Second stage of precipitation, during which all precipitates present in the microstructure increase in size over time. Growth kinetics are generally controlled by diffusion, but can also be controlled by interface mobility.

Germination; nucleation

First stage of precipitation, during which precipitates appear from initially sub-critical clusters. This stage involves the germination barrier, which is the energy required for clusters to pass beyond the critical germination radius, beyond which...