A theoretical approach to the solid-solid reaction mechanism was first proposed by Jander with a model in which a component diffused through the contacting plane. Furthermore, Komatsu proposed a model in which a component diffused through the points in contact with the other component. However, in evaluating the number of contact points, an unsound assumption was made for a random packing of particles having different sizes, leading to erroneous reaction conversion. The mistake is proved in this paper for computing the correct conversion, and an important relationship is introduced stoichiometrically between the diffusivity ratio of two components through a contacting plane and that through a contacting point. The latter is likely to be misunderstood when both models are applied on a common basis.
The present reaction model, in which by starting with a contact point the concentric spherical products are advancing towards the centre of a sphere of the other component, should be transformed, for simplicity, into the “shell model” before the ends of the product layers hit one another. This transition point is discussed in relationship to the number of contact points from different points of view.
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