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Abstract
The free energy barrier to be surmounted during nucleation in homogeneous coherent precipitation of a new phase is discussed in terms of nucleation triggered by the fluctuation of composition. An equation describing the free energy change of a system attending the formation of a solute-rich cluster or a new phase in a dilute regular solution is derived. The curved surface showing the free energy barrier is drawn using the equation and the interaction enthalpy obtained in a previous paper (Kamijo and Fukutomi 1983). The critical size and composition of the solute-rich cluster or the nucleus as well as the critical values of free energy change are evaluated by means of analysis of the curved free energy surface. The mutual relationship between the theories proposed by Becker (1938, 1940), Hobstetter (1949) and Borelius (1937) is discussed and the nucleation process triggered by the fluctuation of composition is clarified.