Influence of variation in grain boundary parameters on the evolution of atomic structure and properties of 111 tilt boundaries in aluminum

S Saood and T Brink and CH Liebscher and G Dehm, ACTA MATERIALIA, 268, 119732 (2024).

DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2024.119732

Grain boundaries (GBs) are fundamental planar defects in metallic materials, exerting a profound influence on material behaviour and properties. Understanding the influence of GB structure on material performance presents challenges due to the intricate atomic arrangements involved. To overcome inconsistencies observed in previous simulations, experimental validation is necessary. However, research on 111 tilt GBs in metals other than copper, such as aluminium, remains limited. This study aims to address these gaps by investigating the characterization of 111 tilt GBs in Al, employing advanced experimental techniques and validating the findings through simulations. By exploring a range of misorientation angles and plane inclinations, two distinct misorientation groups are identified, each exhibiting unique structural configurations. However, the structural differences resulting from plane inclination are more pronounced than those stemming from misorientation angle. Additionally, it is found that deviations from precise misorientation angles and different plane inclinations significantly influence the excess properties of GBs, such as GB energy and excess volume, etc. Furthermore, comparisons between Al and Cu structures enhance our understanding of GB behaviour in different metallic materials. This study lays the foundation for robust structure- property correlations in GBs and emphasizes the importance of considering intricate GB structural details to better understand and predict their properties accurately.

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