EFFECTS OF SYMMETRY, TEXTURE AND TOPOLOGY ON TRIPLE JUNCTION CHARACTER DISTRIBUTION IN POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIALS

Studies of triple junctions in f.c.c. polycrystalline material were ca rried out analytically and by computer modelling. An analysis of tripl e junction symmetry identified a group of triple junctions having at l east a common axis, along with a subgroup of triple junctions having s ymmetry axes as common axes. Frequencies of occurrence of Coincident A xial Direction and Coincident Site Lattice triple junctions are assess ed in both randomly oriented and fibre textured materials. Distributio ns of I- and U-line triple junctions are evaluated in randomly oriente d and fibre textured materials, and in polycrystalline materials compo sed of CSL grain boundaries. Finally, an optimal three-dimensional pol ycrystalline material is proposed from a topological point of view.