Phase transitions in non-simple bodies (Q578966)

It has been known that the dependence of the equilibrium response on the higher deformation gradients (in so called non-simple bodies) is compatible with the Coleman-Noll thermodynamics based on the Clausius- Duhem inequality and the balance equations in their conventional form. Here the author transfers the results of his previous studies on the thermostatics of materials of grade r with internal variables [see, for example, Czech. J. Phys. B 34, 601-621 (1984)] to the analysis of the static continuous phase transitions. It is demonstrated that a generalized chemical potential, which is constant over a stable phase transition, can be constructed. A qualitative analysis of the graph of the nonhomogeneous equilibrium free energy function for a body that admits a stable phase transition is also presented. Finally, it is proved that with each stable phase transition are associated some unstable homogeneous equilibrium states. Except possibly for a small set of exceptional states all homogeneous equilibrium states with deformation gradients that lie between the deformation gradients of the coexistent phases are unstable. The data obtained apply to materials of arbitrary symmetry and may be considered to be the extensions, to nonfluids and to continuous phase transitions, of Gibbs's results for sharp phase transitions in fluids.