Diffusion in Disperse Systems

You can perform simulations where one or more dispersed phases are present in a matrix phase. For example, you can simulate how carburization causes precipitation of carbides in an austenitic matrix phase.

In both Graphical Mode and Console Mode, problems involving diffusion in disperse systems are handled with the homogenization model.

In Console Mode and if you are using the disperse model instead of the recommended homogenization model, the dispersed phases act as point sinks or sources of solute atoms in the simulation and the fraction and composition is calculated from the average composition in each node, assuming that equilibrium holds locally in each volume element.

Simulate diffusion in a disperse system

The homogenization model allows you to take into account diffusion in all phases for which you have kinetic data; the homogenization model treats all phases in the same way regardless of which phase is entered as type matrix and which phases are entered as type spheroid.

In Graphical Mode, the Homogenization model is automatically selected as the default solver when multiple phases are selected in a region.

In Console Mode, there are two ways in which you can simulate diffusion in a system that contains a dispersed phase, but it is strongly recommended that you use the homogenization model. See About the Homogenization Model.

Simulate diffusion with the homogenization model