Wetting of the Σ = 5 (310)<001> symmetrical tilt grain boundary, when close to the solubility limit in these solid solutions, was studied by means of Monte Carlo simulation at 600K. It was found that a finite-thickness film which was almost pure in Ag, and which separated 2 initial Cu-Ag grains, could be obtained from a critical intergranular nucleus which was created by the strong segregation of Ag in the grain boundary. The fact that this film was monocrystalline implied complete rearrangement of the grain boundary core structure. Thus, the initial grain boundary was replaced by two Cu-Ag/Ag-Cu interfaces. An increase in the film thickness was expected upon approaching the solubility limit.

Wetting and Structural Transition Induced by Segregation at Grain Boundaries - a Monte Carlo Study. J.Creuze, F.Berthier, R.Tétot, B.Legrand: Physical Review Letters, 2001, 86[25], 5735-38