Uniform finite facets were frequently observed at grain boundaries and were usually attributed to equilibrium stabilization by grain boundary stress. Calculations were performed for an Al twin grain boundary using density functional theory, the embedded-atom method, and continuum elasticity theory. These methods showed that grain boundary stress was much too small to stabilize finite facets; thus suggesting that the usual explanation was incorrect.

Why Do Grain Boundaries Exhibit Finite Facet Lengths? J.C.Hamilton, D.J.Siegel, I.Daruka, F.Léonard: Physical Review Letters, 2003, 90[24], 246102 (4pp)