Grain boundary segregation in [100] symmetrical tilt bicrystals of an FeSi alloy

Abstract

Abstract The orientation and temperature dependences of the segregation of P, Si and C at [100] symmetrical tilt grain boundaries of an Fe‐3.5 at.% Si alloy were determined by AES analysis of in situ fractured bicrystals. The obtained anisotropy of the segregation enthalpy of all three elements is characterized by its low absolute values for the {013} and {012} boundaries. Both of these boundaries belong to the low classification levels after Paidar and possess high values of interplanar spacing which can be used as a simple geometric criterion of the boundary ‘specialty’. The data are consistent with the construction of the grain boundary segregation diagram showing the dependence of the segregation enthalpy on both the boundary orientation and the maximum solid solubility of the solute.