Papers by Keyword: Grain Boundary Segregation

Abstract: The effect of grain boundary segregation (GBS) on grain boundary diffusion (GBD) is analyzed in frame of the new model. This model supposes the formation of the specific “nuclei” in a grain boundary (GB) solid solution. Their composition is close to that of the nearest phase in grain in equilibrium with solid solution in grain. These GB “nuclei” form after the same solubility as in the bulk is reached. The size of these “nuclei” is close to an atomic size and consequently the new interfaces inside the two-dimensional GB are not formed. As the solute concentration in the bulk increases the solute concentration in GB increases as well, but only due to the increase of the “nuclei” fraction. At the same time the solute concentration in a disordered part of GB solid solution remains constant. The fraction of this part decreases. The retardation effect of GBS on GBD is connected with the ordering transition, the “nuclei” formation. A diffusion coefficient (D) in an ordered part of solid solution is close to the diffusion coefficient in a bulk phase. As a rule, it is less than a diffusion coefficient in a disordered part. The growth of an ordered part of GB solid solution (the fraction of the “nuclei”) leads also to the dependence of D on the solute concentration and to the additional curvature of the diffusion profiles.

Abstract: Grain-boundary heterodiffusion of iron in pure copper and self diffusion of iron in copper–0.091at% iron were measured by the serial sectioning technique in the Harrison B-regime. The penetration profiles corresponding to iron heterodiffusion in pure copper show a strong positive curvature far beyond the (Dvt)1/2 depth . This peculiar shape, which does not exist for self diffusion in the solid solution, proves the presence of a strong non linear grain-boundary segregation of iron in copper in spite of the respective surface energies of these metals. This segregation is linked to the size effect which is, as predicted by numerical simulation, the main driving force for grainboundary segregation.

Abstract: A systematic investigation of the segregation of Bi at both free surfaces and grain boundaries in Cu, under identical conditions, is reported. The problem of Bi evaporation upon Bi segregation at free surfaces was overcome using a special method for sample preparation. Cu bicrystals containing deliberately made internal cavities at the grain boundary were doped with Bi, annealed at temperatures between 1073 and 1223 K, and broken along the grain boundary in an ultrahigh vacuum chamber for Auger electron spectroscopy. For the first time, the equilibrium surface segregation of Bi in Cu has been measured. The segregation at the free surface was found to be stronger than the segregation at the grain boundary.

Abstract: Diffusion of 64Cu, 59Fe, and 63Ni radiotracers has been measured in Cu–Fe–Ni alloys of different compositions at 1271 K. The measured penetration profiles reveal grain boundary-induced part along with the volume diffusion one. Correction on grain boundary diffusion was taken into account when determining the volume diffusivities of the components. When the Cu content in the alloys increases, the diffusivities increase by order of magnitude. This behaviour correlates well with decreasing of the melting temperature of corresponding alloys, as the Cu content increases. Modelling of interdiffusion in the Cu–Fe–Ni system based on Danielewski-Holly model of interdiffusion is presented. In this model (extended Darken method for multi-component systems) a postulate that the total mass flow is a sum of the diffusion and the drift flows was applied for the description of interdiffusion in the closed system. Nernst-Planck’s flux formula assuming a chemical potential gradient as a driving force for the mass transport was used for computing the diffusion flux in non-ideal multi-component systems. In computations of the diffusion profiles the measured tracer diffusion coefficients of Cu, Fe and Ni as well as the literature data on thermodynamic activities for the Cu–Fe–Ni system were used. The calculated interdiffusion concentration profiles (diffusion paths) reveal satisfactory agreement with the experimental results.

Abstract: The influence of trace boron and cooling rate on the thermal embrittlement of 2.25Cr -1Mo steel was investigated by thermo-mechanical simulator and SEM analysis. It was proved that the trough in the thermo-ductility curve located between 1000°C and 700°Cand shifted to lower temperature and the temperature range of the trough became shallow and narrow as the boron content increased. When the cooling rate decreased, the ductility trough became shallow and narrow too. This made the steel free of surface crack in CC process.