The formation of annealing twins and its relationship to grain growth was investigated. Previous studies had established a relationship between twin density, grain size and temperature. A model of the mechanism of their formation based on the emergence of Shockley partial loops on consecutive {111} planes during grain migration had also been developed previously. This model could satisfactorily explain some experimental and theoretical results found over the years. Additional experimental evidence was provided here in support of the model by investigating twin formation in boron-doped nickel. It was found that boron addition slows down grain growth, though the kinetics of grain growth remains parabolic. There was a sharp reduction in twin density due to boron addition especially around a boron content of about 200ppm.

Grain Growth and Twin Formation in Boron-Doped Nickel Polycrystals. C.S.Pande, M.A.Imam: Materials Science and Engineering A, 2009, 512[1-2], 82-6