Effect of inclination dependence of grain boundary energy on the mobility of tilt and non-tilt low-angle grain boundaries

In contrast to a 9.1° <1 0 0> tilt grain boundary, which remains straight and immobile at elevated temperatures, a 9.1° <1 0 0> mixed boundary easily assumes a curved shape and steadily moves under a capillary force. Molecular statics simulations suggest that this is due to the inclination dependence of grain boundary energy, which in turn depends on boundary geometry. The energy of a tilt boundary was found to change, whereas that of a mixed boundary was found not to change with boundary inclination.