Interfacial Energy Property Model Settings

Interfacial Energy is a Property Model available when using the Property Model Calculator in Thermo‑Calc and is used to estimate the interfacial energy between a matrix phase and a precipitate phase using thermodynamic data from a CALPHAD database. The approximation model is based on Becker's bond energy approach and is also available in Precipitation Module (TC-PRISMA).

In the actual calculation, the coefficients taken distinguish between only bcc and fcc structure for the (110) and (111) lattice plane, respectively.

For other planes and/or other phases, the estimate is approximate. In most situations, it is recommended to perform calibrations against some experimental data because the interfacial energy is dependent on so many factors that are ignored in the estimation, for example entropy, incoherency, orientation, and curvature, etc. Uncertainty factors must also be considered as thermodynamic data in CALPHAD databases are not always accurate.

For theory see About the Interfacial Energy Property Model. For an example, see PM_G_03: Driving Force and Interfacial Energy.

Configuration Settings

The settings are found on the Property Model Calculator when Interfacial energy is selected under General Models.

When working in the Configuration window, click the Description tab for more information about the Model.

For the details about the Condition Definitions, Calculation Type, Timeout in minutes, Parallel Calculation, and other calculation associated settings, see Property Model Calculator: Configuration Window Settings.

Choose a Matrix phase to calculate the interfacial energy [J/m2].

  • Choose a Precipitate phase to calculate the interfacial energy [J/m2].

    • Plot Renderer Settings

    Plot Renderer and Plot Renderer: Configuration Settings

    When setting up your calculation on the Plot Renderer and/or Table Renderer, the following axis variables are available for the conditions defined on the Property Model Calculator.

    When selecting quantities on the Plot Renderer or Table Renderer, the quantity names include an abbreviated name for the Property Model it is associated to. This is useful in particular when you are calculating two or more Property Models that share names for the quantities. The short name identifying the specific Property Model is included in parentheses after the name of the quantity. Below are the full and abbreviated names for each Property Model.

    For a list of the abbreviations associated to a Property Model, see Result Quantities: Property Model Abbreviations.

    Select from these plot quantities:

    • Temperature
    • Interfacial energy Ni [J/m2] for it to be between the matrix and precipitate phase.