Direct observation of strain-induced non-equilibrium grain boundaries

Abstract The grain boundary (GB) wetting by the melt and second solid phase has been studied in the Sn–Pb system both in equilibrium conditions and during continuous strain. The percentage of Sn/Sn GBs completely wetted by the melt increases from 80% at eutectic temperature Te=183 °C to 100% at 220 °C. The percentage of Pb/Pb GBs completely wetted by the melt increases from 0% at Te to 100% at 270 °C. Below Te only incomplete wetting of Pb/Pb GBs by solid Sn and Sn/Sn GBs by solid Pb has been observed after long annealing. However, during strain the lattice dislocations are continuously absorbed by GBs increasing the GB energy. As a result, the complete wetting of such non-equlibrium Sn/Sn …