The motion and geometry of connected 2D grain boundary systems with triple junctions in Al was investigated in situ in a scanning electron microscope with a specially designed heating stage. The results show that triple junctions could have a marked influence on grain boundary motion and grain growth kinetics. The grain area change with annealing time was recorded in situ in the scanning electron microscope. An analysis of the experimental data revealed that there was no unique relationship between growth rate and the number n of grain sides (von Neumann–Mullins relation). This was attributed to the effect of triple junction drag on grain growth.

Drag Effect of Triple Junctions on Grain Boundary and Grain Growth Kinetics in Aluminium. D.Mattissen, D.A.Molodov, L.S.Shvindlerman, G.Gottstein: Acta Materialia, 2005, 53[7], 2049-57