Diffusion Controlled Grain Triple Junctions Wetting in Metals

Abstract

The interaction between liquid and solid metals where the liquid-solid interface contains three grain boundary lines which meet in triple junction point is considered. The assumption that the liquid grooves may be formed not only along grain boundaries but along triple junctions is presented. The variation of Gibbs energy during the formation of triangle pyramidal groove along triple junction is determined. The dependence of Gibbs energy variation from groove dimensions shows that the wetting of triple junctions occurs by lower temperatures than the wetting of grain boundaries. This result allows to take into account the existence of grain size effect on the liquid phase penetration depth into the polycrystalline sample. The proposed mechanism of wetting in polycrystalline metal contains two stages: the outstrip melt penetration along triple junctions and the liquid grooving on grain boundaries forming the triple junctions. One of the processes – triple junction diffusion or liquid diffusion – may control the wetting in the polycrystalline sample.