Grain Boundary Structure as a Function of Aluminum Level in Ni3Al

1990 ◽  
Vol 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Horton ◽  
C.T. Liu ◽  
S.J. Pennycook
Keyword(s):  
Grain Boundary ◽  
Grain Boundaries ◽  
Boundary Structure ◽  
Boundary Phase ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Contrast Imaging ◽  
Minimum Width ◽  
Undoped Material ◽  
Boron Doped ◽  
Aluminum Level

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the boron effect in Ni3Al currently centers on determining thestructure of the region near grain boundaries, especially the presence of a disordered γ phase. In this study, a series of alloys was examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) as a function of aluminum level, boron level, and cooling rate for thepresence of any grain boundary phases. The base alloy series all contained 0.5 at. % Hf. At 21.5 at. % Al,γ formed in the matrix as expected. However, in slowly cooled specimens with 22 and 22.5% Al, a second phase with thicknesses from 25 to 50 nm formed on some of the grain boundaries. At higher aluminum levels no evidence of any second phase was observed. The minimum width of grain boundary images formed by normal diffraction contrast imaging was generally 0.5 to 1 nm for grain boundaries that presumably had no second phase and were parallel to the electron beam. Therefore, a second phase with a thickness of 1 nm or less would not be discernable by TEM. High resolution Z-contrast imaging by scanning TEM of a very low angle boundary in directionally solidified (DS) material also showed no evidence of disordering, but did show a surprising amount of non-planarity of the boundary.Whereas slower cooling rates might be expected to aid the formation of any grain boundary phase and thereby increase the ductility, the ductility was slightly lower for the more slowly cooled alloys than for the furnace cooled alloys. From 21.5 to 24% Al, the tensile elongations remain fairly constant with values ranging from 45 to 52%. Above 24%, the ductility drops off rapidly but is still much higher for the boron-doped material than for the undoped material. At 25.2% Al, the ductility is still 4% as compared to essentially zero for undoped material. Therefore the ductility improvements in boron-doped Ni3Al do not require the presence of any grain boundary disordered phases discernable by TEM.

GRAIN BOUNDARIES: PHASE TRANSITIONS AND CRITICAL PHENOMENA

1991 ◽  
Vol 05 (19) ◽  
pp. 2989-3028 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.I. RABKIN ◽  
L.S. SHVINDLERMAN ◽  
B.B. STRAUMAL
Keyword(s):  
Phase Transitions ◽  
Grain Boundary ◽  
Grain Boundaries ◽  
Critical Phenomena ◽  
External Surface ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Boundary Structure ◽  
Boundary Phase ◽  
Recent Experimental Data ◽  
Grain Boundary Structure

Recent theories of grain boundary structure have been reviewed briefly. The possibility of existence of the same variety of phase transitions on grain boundaries as that on the crystal external surface has been demonstrated. Recent experimental data and theoretical models concerning grain boundary phase transitions are critically analysed. Grain boundary phase transitions connected with the formation of thin disordered layers on the boundary (prewetting, premelting) are particularly distinguished. Results of recent indirect experiments, which may be treated in terms of prewetting and premelting, have been reviewed. Experimentally observed critical phenomena in the vicinity of the prewetting transition on the tin-germanium interphase boundary have been discussed in terms of the critical exponents theory. Some ideas regarding directions of further research are presented.

STEM Investigation of Segregation and Local Structure at Grain Boundary in Tetragonal Zirconia

1997 ◽  
Vol 3 (S2) ◽  
pp. 549-550
Author(s):  
H. Gu ◽  
F. Wakai
Keyword(s):  
Grain Boundary ◽  
Grain Boundaries ◽  
Solid Electrolytes ◽  
Tetragonal Zirconia ◽  
Boundary Structure ◽  
Contrast Imaging ◽  
Amorphous Films ◽  
Grain Boundary Structure ◽  
Z Contrast ◽  
Segregation Of Impurities

Y or Ca stabilized tetragonal ZrO2 (TZP) exhibits superplasticity at high temperature, and can also be used as solid electrolytes. Those properties are dictated by structure and chemistry of grain boundaries, which can be controlled by segregation of impurities or additives. The grain boundaries were found either covered by amorphous films or free of the film. Co-segragation of additives and stabilizers has also been observed. To fully understand the correlation between segregation and grain boundary structure, a dedicated STEM (VG HB601) capable of EDX/EELS analysis and phase/Z-contrast imaging is employed to study 3Y-TZP doped with 0.3 and 0.9 mol% SiO2.Although Y-L lines arc dominated by overlapping Zr-L lines in EDX, Y excess at grain boundaries can still be measured by “spatial difference” which removes Zr signal with a spectrum from the bulk. The co-segregation of Si and Y is also observed (Fig. 1) at many boundaries. Their average excesses arc 5±2 nm−2and 25±10 run−2 respectively, close to 1 monolayer each of SiO2 and Y2O3.

Z-Contrast Imaging of Grain-Boundary Core Structures in Semiconductors

MRS Bulletin ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 53-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.F. Chisholm ◽  
S.J. Pennycook
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Grain Boundary ◽  
Grain Boundaries ◽  
Phase Contrast ◽  
Atomic Scale ◽  
Resolving Power ◽  
Boundary Structure ◽  
Contrast Imaging ◽  
Contrast Technique ◽  
Z Contrast

Interest in semiconductor grain boundaries relates to the development of polycrystalline materials for photovoltaics and integrated-circuit interconnects. Although these structures are responsible for deleterious electrical effects, there are few experimental techniques available to study them at the required atomic scale. Therefore models of the physical processes occurring at grain boundaries have necessarily taken a macroscopic approach. Fortunately recent developments have resulted in tools that provide unprecedented glimpses into these interfaces and that will allow us to address anew the connection between grain-boundary structure and properties.Z-Contrast ImagingWhen exploring the unknown, we rely heavily on our eyes (incoherent imaging) to provide a direct image of a new object. In order to explore the unforeseen atomic configurations present at extended defects in materials, it again would be desirable if one could obtain a directly interpretable image of the unfamiliar structures present in the defect cores. Z-contrast electron microscopy provides such a view with both atomic resolution and compositional sensitivity.This high-resolution imaging technique differs from conventional high-resolution phase-contrast imaging. The phase-contrast technique produces a coherent image, an interference pattern formed by recombining the waves diffracted by the specimen. In the Z-contrast technique, the image is incoherent; it is essentially a map of the scattering power of the specimen. Additionally as was first determined by Lord Rayleigh, the incoherent mode of image formation has double the resolving power of the coherent mode.

Morphology of Σ3{/70.53°} grain boundaries in a C15 intermetallic compound

1994 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 684-685
Author(s):  
Fuming Chu ◽  
D. P. Pope ◽  
D. S. Zhou ◽  
T. E. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Grain Boundary ◽  
Grain Boundaries ◽  
Crystallographic Analysis ◽  
Laves Phase ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Bright Field Image ◽  
Boundary Edge ◽  
Arc Melting ◽  
Fcc Lattice ◽  
Diffraction Patterns

A C15 Laves phase, HfV2+Nb, shows promising mechanical properties and here we describe the structure of its grain boundaries. The C15 Laves phase has a fcc lattice with a=7.4Å. An alloy of composition Hf14V64Nb22 (including a C15 matrix and a second phase of V-rich bcc solution) was made by arc-melting. The alloy was homogenized at 1200°C for 120h. Preliminary study concentrated on Σ3{<110>/70.53°} grain boundaries in the C15 phase using Philips 400T and CM 30 microscopes.The most-commonly observed morphology of Σ3{<110>/70.53°} grain boundaries in the C15 phase is a faceted boundary. A bright field image (BFI) of the faceted boundary and the corresponding diffraction patterns with the grain boundary edge-on are shown in Fig. 1(a). From the diffraction patterns using a <110> zone axis for both grains, it is obvious that this is a Σ3{<110>/70.53°} grain boundary. Crystallographic analysis shows that the Σ3{<110>/70.53°} grain boundaries selectively facet with the following relationships between the two grains: {111}1//{111}2, {112}1//{112}2, {111}1//{115}2, and {001}1//{221}2.

Investigating Ca Segregated to a Grain Boundaries in MgO Using Multiple Scattering Analysis of Electron Energy Loss Spectra

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (S2) ◽  
pp. 776-777
Author(s):  
J. P. Buban ◽  
J. Zaborac ◽  
H. Moltaji ◽  
G. Duscher ◽  
N. D. Browning
Keyword(s):  
Energy Loss ◽  
Grain Boundaries ◽  
Electron Energy ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Boundary Structure ◽  
Structure Property ◽  
Contrast Imaging ◽  
Scale Properties ◽  
Z Contrast ◽  
Electron Energy Loss

Although grain boundaries typically account for only a small fraction of a material, they can have far reaching effects on the overall bulk scale properties. These effects are usually simply linked to the boundary having a different atomic arrangement to the bulk. A necessary first step in understanding the structure-property relationships is therefore a detailed determination of the boundary structure.One means of obtaining detailed information on the structure of grain boundaries is through correlated Z-contrast imaging and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS). The Z-contrast image generates a map of the grain boundary which can be used to position the probe in defined locations for spectroscopy. In the case of oxides, a structural model of the metal atom positions can be determined directly from the image. Furthermore, using a simple bond-valence sum minimization routine, the oxygen atoms can be placed so that the structure contains atoms that have valences consistent with their expected formal valence state.

Structural and Mechanical Properties of Nanophase Ni: A Molecular-Dynamics Study of the Influence of Grain-Boundary Structure on Elastic and Plastic Behavior

1997 ◽  
Vol 492 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Van Swygenhoven ◽  
M. Spaczér ◽  
A. Caro
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Grain Boundary ◽  
Grain Boundaries ◽  
Diffusion Mechanism ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
Boundary Structure ◽  
Plastic Behavior ◽  
Self Diffusion ◽  
Common Neighbour ◽  
Grain Boundary Structure

ABSTRACTMolecular dynamics computer simulations of high load plastic deformation at temperatures up to 500K of Ni nanophase samples with mean grain size of 5 nm are reported. Two types of samples are considered: a polycrystal nucleated from different seeds, each having random location and random orientation, representing a sample with mainly high angle grain boundaries, and polycrystals with seeds located at the same places as before, but with a limited missorientation representing samples with mainly low angle grain boundaries. The structure of the grain boundaries is studied by means of pair distribution functions, coordination number, atom energetics, and common neighbour analysis. Plastic behaviour is interpreted in terms of grain-boundary viscosity, controlled by a self diffusion mechanism at the disordered interface activated by thermal energy and stress.

Research on Micro-Mechanism of Nanocomposite Ceramic in Two-Dimensional Ultrasound Grinding

2007 ◽  
Vol 359-360 ◽  
pp. 344-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Zhao ◽  
Yan Wu ◽  
Guo Fu Gao ◽  
Feng Jiao
Keyword(s):  
Grain Boundary ◽  
Grain Boundaries ◽  
Deformation Mechanism ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Grain Boundary Sliding ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Composite Ceramics ◽  
Nano Composite ◽  
Boundary Sliding

Surface microstructure of nano-composite ceramics prepared by mixed coherence system and machined by two-dimensional ultrasonic precision grinding was researched using TEM, SEM, XRD detector and other equipments. Structure, formation mechanism and characteristic of metamorphic layer of ground surface of nano-composite ceramics were researched. The experiment shows micro deformation mechanism of ceramic material in two-dimensional ultrasound grinding is twin grain boundary and grain-boundary sliding for Al2O3, and it is crystal dislocation of enhanced phase, matrix grain boundary sliding, coordination deformation of intergranular second phase as well as its deformation mechanism for nano-composite ceramics. The fracture surfaces of nano-composite materials with different microscopic structure were observed using TEM and SEM. Research shows that ZrO2 plays an important influence on the generation and expansion of crack, and enhances the strength of grain boundaries. When grain boundaries is rich in the ZrO2 particles, the crack produced in grinding process will be prevented, and the surface with plastic deformation will be smooth. The results shows nanoparticles dispersed in grain boundary prevents crack propagation and makes materials fracture transgranularly which makes the processed surface fine.

Atomic Scale Analysis of a YSZ Bicrystal Grain Boundary

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (S2) ◽  
pp. 400-401
Author(s):  
Y. Lei ◽  
Y. Ito ◽  
N. D. Browning
Keyword(s):  
Grain Boundary ◽  
Grain Boundaries ◽  
Bulk Material ◽  
Atomic Scale ◽  
Structure Property ◽  
Contrast Imaging ◽  
Structure Property Relationships ◽  
Commercial Applications ◽  
Z Contrast ◽  
Electron Energy Loss

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) has been the subject of many experimental and theoretical studies, due to the commercial applications of zirconia-based ceramics in solid state oxide fuel cells. Since the grain boundaries usually dominate the overall macroscopic performance of the bulk material, it is essential to develop a fundamental understanding of their structure-property relationships. Previous research has been performed on the atomic structure of grain boundaries in YSZ, but no precise atomic scale compositional and chemistry characterization has been carried out. Here we report a detailed analytical study of an [001] symmetric 24° bicrystal tilt grain boundary in YSZ prepared with ∼10 mol % Y2O3 by Shinkosha Co., Ltd by the combination of Z-contrast imaging and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS).The experimental analysis of the YSZ sample was carried out on a 200kV Schottky field emission JEOL 201 OF STEM/TEM4.

Effect of Grain Boundary Energy Anisotropy on Faceting and Migration of Low Angle Grain Boundaries

2014 ◽  
Vol 783-786 ◽  
pp. 1634-1639
Author(s):  
Dmitri A. Molodov ◽  
Jann Erik Brandenburg ◽  
Luis Antonio Barrales-Mora ◽  
Günter Gottstein
Keyword(s):  
Grain Boundary ◽  
Grain Boundaries ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Boundary Energy ◽  
Migration Behavior ◽  
Grain Boundary Energy ◽  
Contrast Imaging ◽  
Orientation Contrast ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Twist Boundaries

The faceting and migration behavior of low angle <100> grain boundaries in high purity aluminum bicrystals was investigated. In-situ technique based on orientation contrast imaging was applied. In contrast to the pure tilt boundaries, which remained straight/flat and immobile during annealing at elevated temperatures, mixed tilt-twist boundaries readily assumed a curved shape and steadily moved under the capillary force. Computational analysis revealed that this behavior is due to the inclinational anisotropy of grain boundary energy, which in turn depends on boundary geometry – the energy of pure tilt low angle <100> boundaries is anisotropic, whereas that of mixed tilt-twist boundaries isotropic with respect to boundary inclination.

Systematic Study of Grain Boundary Structure and Chemical Analysis of [100] and [111] Tilt Grain Boundaries in Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (S02) ◽  
pp. 304-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P Buban ◽  
Katsuyuki Matsunaga ◽  
Takahisa Yamamoto ◽  
Yuichi Ikuhara
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Analysis ◽  
Grain Boundary ◽  
Grain Boundaries ◽  
Systematic Study ◽  
Yttria Stabilized Zirconia ◽  
Boundary Structure ◽  
Stabilized Zirconia ◽  
Grain Boundary Structure

Extended abstract of a paper presented at Microscopy and Microanalysis 2004 in Savannah, Georgia, USA, August 1–5, 2004.

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