Motion of a grain boundary facet in aluminum

The shape and migration of a capillary-driven 20.8°〈1 0 0〉 tilt grain boundary in aluminum bicrystals were investigated in situ in a scanning electron microscope at elevated temperatures. The moving boundary assumed a semi-faceted configuration composed of a singular facet connected to a curved boundary section joined at a distinct edge. At constant temperature the boundary with a facet moved steadily and its shape remained self-similar. Both the facet length and the connecting angle between the facet and the curved boundary section did not change over the investigated temperature range. The capillary-driven migration of the semi-faceted grain boundary in “quarter-loop” geometry was analyzed. The obtained results revealed that the major factor responsible for the formation of the mobile facet was the energy difference between the facet and the curved boundary. The temperature dependence of the facet mobility was determined. The migration activation enthalpy of the investigated capillary-driven planar boundary/facet was a factor of two higher than the activation enthalpy for migration of a geometrically similar boundary driven by an applied stress.