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Title: On the mechanism of grain-boundary migration in metals: A molecular dynamics study

Journal Article · · Journal of Materials Research; (United States)
; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Materials Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois (USA)

The migration of a (100) {theta}=43.6{degree} ({Sigma}29) twist grain boundary is observed during the course of a molecular-dynamics simulation. The atomic-level details of the migration are investigated by determining the time dependence of the planar structure factor, a function of the planar interparticle bond angles, and the location of the center of a mass of planes near the grain boundary. It is found that a migration step consists of local bond rearrangements which, when the simulation cell is made large enough, produce domain-like structures in the migrating plane. Although no overall sliding is observed during migration, a local sliding of the planes near the migrating grain boundary accompanies the migration process. It is suggested that a three-dimensional cloud of thermally produced Frenkel-like point defects near the boundary accompanies, and facilitates, its migration.

DOE Contract Number:
W-31-109-ENG-38
OSTI ID:
6185635
Journal Information:
Journal of Materials Research; (United States), Vol. 6:11; ISSN 0884-2914
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English