The drag effect by second-phase particles on grain boundary motion was considered with regard to the triple line particle–grain boundary that was formed during the interaction between a particle and a grain boundary. A quantitative analysis of this effect has become possible due to recent measurements of the triple line energy. In the limit of large particles (dp > 50 nm) the particle was wet by the boundary (Zener approximation) whereas smaller particles were repelled by the grain boundary.

On the Retardation of Grain Boundary Motion by Small Particles. G.Gottstein, L.S.Shvindlerman: Scripta Materialia, 2010, 63[11], 1089-91