Cellular automata simulations on nanocrystallization processes: From instantaneous growth approximation to limited growth

Cellular automata simulations have been performed to simulate the crystallization process under a limited growth approximation. This approximation resembles several characteristics exhibited by nanocrystalline microstructures and nanocrystallization kinetics. Avrami exponent decreases from a value n = 4 indicating interface controlled growth and constant nucleation rate to a value n ~ 1 indicating absence of growth. A continuous change of the growth contribution to the Avrami exponent from zero to 3 is observed as the composition of the amorphous phase becomes richer in the element present in the crystalline phase.