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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Grain boundary segregation and intergranular failure

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5136465

Trace elements and impurities often segregate strongly to grain boundaries in metals and alloys. Concentrations of these elements at grain boundaries are often 10/sup 3/ to 10/sup 5/ times as great as their overall concentration in the alloy. Because of such segregation, certain trace elements can exert a disproportionate influence on material properties. One frequently observed consequence of trace element segregation to grain boundaries is the occurrence of grain boundary failure and low ductility. Less well known are incidences of improved ductility and inhibition of grain boundary fracture resulting from trace element segregation to grain boundaries in certain systems. An overview of trace element segregation and intergranular failure in a variety of alloy systems as well as preliminary results from studies on Al 3% Li will be presented.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76OR00033
OSTI ID:
5136465
Report Number(s):
CONF-8005109-1(Draft)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English