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Chemistry and bonding changes associated with the segregation of Bi to grain boundaries in Cu

Journal Article · · Acta Materialia
; ;  [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Lehigh Univ., Bethlehem, PA (United States). Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering
  2. Arizona State Univ., Tempe, AZ (United States)
  3. Tulane Univ., New Orleans, LA (United States). Dept. of Physics

Grain-boundary embrittlement, caused by the segregation of impurity and alloying elements, occurs in many systems and has been the focus of a large amount of research owing to its technological importance. However, the exact mechanism by which the segregating elements cause embrittlement remains unclear. In this paper the localized changes in the electronic structure in the classical embrittling system of Bi in Cu have been studied. Experimental results were obtained by examining the fine structure in the electron energy loss spectrum which was then compared to calculations using the layer Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker (LKKR) method. A change in the d density of states has been observed for the Cu atoms at the grain boundary, associated with Bi, and an electronic model to explain embrittlement is described.

Sponsoring Organization:
National Science Foundation, Washington, DC (United States); USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI ID:
616193
Journal Information:
Acta Materialia, Journal Name: Acta Materialia Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 46; ISSN 1359-6454; ISSN ACMAFD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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