Abstract
Grain boundary engineering (GBE) in FCC alloys relies on the presence of low-energy, coherent Σ3 boundaries to improve material performance. To make microstructures with a profuse network of Σ3 boundaries, a repetitive cycle of low-level deformation and followed by annealing is commonly employed. In this work, we use a combination of in situ SEM, in situ TEM, and a relaxation theory for grain boundaries to investigate the structural states of grain boundaries in Cu after a cycle or many cycles of deformation and annealing steps. It is revealed that during annealing the orientation relationships and boundary morphology of deformed Σ3 and higher order variants, Σ9 boundaries, change appreciably, from being curved to distinctly, crystallographically faceted. The theoretical analysis identifies the faceting process and the crystallography of the facets as corresponding to the optimal, low-energy structures for the observed orientation relationships. It is, therefore, shown that post-deformation heat treatments used in GBE are recovering the highly deviated and deformed Σ3s boundaries to a low-energy state.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
