Grain boundary chemistry

Recent advances in experimental measurements of grain-boundary segregation are reviewed. It ia now feasible to measure segregation and relate it to bo undary structure at the atomic level. It is also possible to measure nanome tre-level segregation at dozens of grain boundaries, so a better statistica l picture of the distribution of segregant is available. There is strong ex perimental evidence emerging for an electronic explanation of the role of s egregation in controlling bulk mechanical properties, such as temper embrit tlement. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. Ah rights reserved.