Abstract
The classical nucleation theories by Volmer and Weber, by Becker and Doring, and by Turnbull and Fisher, and its extension to alloy systems by Thompson and Spaepen have been shortly summarized for the better understanding of nucleation phenomena in the containerless solidification of metals and alloys. Time-dependent nucleation rate is also discussed in terms of transient time necessary for cluster distribution to attain an equilibrium one. Some formulas and equations to be used in the calculation of the degree of undercooling in the experiments of metals and alloys are described in the text.
