Solute segregation on Σ3 and random grain boundaries in type 316L stainless steel

Solute segregation and impurity segregation on random and Σ3 grain boundaries in a type 316L stainless steel were investigated by means of atom probe tomography (APT). Segregation of Mo, P, B, and C was observed on random grain boundaries, irrespective of grain boundary misorientation. Two-dimensional concentration maps along the grain boundary plane revealed that the concentrations of all segregated elements were not homogeneous and no co-segregation was observed. In contrast, no segregation was observed on Σ3 grain boundaries.