Computing Grain Boundary Diagrams: From Thermodynamic to Mechanical Properties


Abstract in English

Computing the grain boundary (GB) counterparts to bulk phase diagrams represents an emerging research direction with potentially broad impacts. Using a classical embrittlement model system Ga-doped Al, this study demonstrates the feasibility of computing temperature- and composition-dependent GB diagrams to represent not only equilibrium thermodynamic and structural characters, but also mechanical properties. Specifically, hybrid Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics (MC/MD) simulations are used to obtain the equilibrium GB structure as a function of temperature and composition. Simulated GB structures are validated by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. Subsequently, MD tensile tests are performed on the simulated equilibrium GB structures. GB diagrams are computed for not only GB adsorption and disorder, but also interfacial structural and chemical widths, MD ultimate strength, and tensile toughness. A model is established to forecast the ductile-to-brittle transition. This study establishes a new paradigm to compute a spectrum of GB diagrams to enable the investigation of the unique GB composition-structure-property relationship.

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