Phase Transformation in Materials Course | NPTEL IIT Kanpur | Prof. Krishanu Biswas
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 54 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Metallurgy and Material science & Mining Engineering |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 19 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Unlock the Secrets of Materials Science: A Deep Dive into Phase Transformation
Have you ever wondered how steel gains its strength, why heat treatment alters metal properties, or how complex alloys are engineered for specific applications? The answers lie in understanding Phase Transformation in Materials. This fundamental concept is the cornerstone of modern metallurgy, materials engineering, and advanced manufacturing. For students and professionals eager to master this critical subject, the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) offers an exceptional opportunity.
We are thrilled to present a detailed overview of the NPTEL course "Phase Transformation in Materials," meticulously designed and delivered by one of India's leading experts in the field, Prof. Krishanu Biswas from IIT Kanpur. This 12-week journey is your gateway to comprehending the science that shapes the materials of tomorrow.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Krishanu Biswas
Learning from the best makes all the difference. This course is led by Prof. Krishanu Biswas, the esteemed Ranjit Singh Chair Professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at IIT Kanpur. A prolific teacher and researcher, Prof. Biswas has developed seminal NPTEL courses on Phase Diagrams, Phase Transformation, and Nanomaterials.
His teaching prowess spans both undergraduate and postgraduate levels at IIT Kanpur. Beyond the classroom, his cutting-edge research encompasses multicomponent materials, materials for hydrogen energy, advanced electron microscopy, and the innovative application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI-ML) in materials engineering. His guidance ensures the course content is both deeply fundamental and relevant to contemporary research frontiers.
Who Should Enroll in This Course?
This course is strategically designed to cater to a specific academic and professional audience:
- Intended Audience: Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) students from Metallurgical Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, and Materials Science.
- Prerequisites: A basic knowledge of thermodynamics, diffusion, and phase diagrams is recommended to fully grasp the advanced concepts.
- Industry Support: The curriculum is highly valued by major industries, including Metal Processing Companies (like SAIL, HINDALCO) and Manufacturing sectors (Automotive, Oil & Gas, etc.), making it ideal for aspiring engineers seeking industry-ready skills.
Course Overview: What Will You Learn?
The 12-week course is a comprehensive exploration of how and why materials change their internal structure (phase) under different conditions, and how these changes dictate their final properties.
ABOUT THE COURSE: This course delves into the fundamentals of phase transformation. Using the powerful tools of thermodynamics and kinetics, it explains various transformations—from liquid to solid (like solidification) and solid to solid (like precipitation). You'll learn not just the "what," but the "why" and "how" behind the microstructural evolution of materials.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is systematically structured to build your knowledge from the ground up. Here is a week-by-week breakdown:
| Week | Topic | Key Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction | Course overview and importance of phase transformations. |
| Week 2 | Gibbs Free Energy Change Calculations | The thermodynamic driving force for transformations. |
| Week 3 | Interfaces | Structure and energy of boundaries between phases. |
| Week 4 | Nucleation | How new phases begin to form (homogeneous & heterogeneous). |
| Week 5 | Solidification | Liquid-to-solid transformation, microstructure development. |
| Week 6 | Growth | How nucleated phases expand and consume the parent phase. |
| Week 7 | Transformation Kinetics | Rate of transformations, TTT diagrams. |
| Week 8 | Precipitation | Formation of second-phase particles for strengthening. |
| Week 9 | Recrystallisation & Grain Growth | Microstructure evolution during annealing. |
| Week 10 | Martensitic Transformation | Diffusionless, shear transformation (key to hardening steel). |
| Week 11 | Isothermal & Continuous Cooling Transformations | Practical CCT & TTT diagrams for heat treatment design. |
| Week 12 | Spinodal Decomposition | A unique mode of phase separation without nucleation. |
Essential Reference Books
To supplement your learning, Prof. Biswas recommends two classic textbooks, which are considered bibles in the field:
- Phase Transformation in Metals and Alloys by D.A. Porter, K.E. Easterling, and M. Sherif (CRC Press, 3rd Edition).
- Phase Transformation in Materials by A.K. Jena and M.C. Chaturvedi (Prentice Hall).
Why This Course is a Must for Aspiring Materials Engineers
In a world driven by material innovation—from lighter alloys for aerospace to stronger steels for infrastructure—the ability to control phase transformations is a superpower. This course provides:
- Strong Theoretical Foundation: Connects core principles of thermodynamics and kinetics to real-world material behavior.
- Career Relevance: Directly applicable knowledge for roles in R&D, quality control, process engineering, and heat treatment in core industries.
- Expert Narration: Learn from an award-winning professor from a premier institute like IIT Kanpur.
- Flexible & Free Learning: Access high-quality education from anywhere, at your own pace, through the NPTEL platform.
Whether you are a student aiming to ace your exams and build a strong foundation, or a professional looking to solidify your understanding of material processing, this course on Phase Transformation in Materials is an invaluable resource. Enroll today and take the first step towards mastering the invisible changes that create the materials shaping our visible world.
Enroll Now →