discontinuous precipitation

A diffusional reaction in a multi-component system in which structural and compositional changes occur in regions immediately adjacent to the advancing interface. The parent phase remains unchanged until swept over by the interface; the transition is complete in regions over which the interface has passed. Synonymous with nucleation and growth.
Source:
PAC, 1994, 66, 577 (Definitions of terms relating to phase transitions of the solid state (IUPAC Recommendations 1994)) on page 581