In Situ Observations of the Interaction of Liquid Lead Inclusions with Grain Boundaries in Aluminum

: The evolution of liquid lead (Pb) inclusions at grain boundaries in aluminum (Al) was investigated by direct in situ TEM observation in the temperature range from 330 degrees-643 degreesC. In agreement with earlier reports on quenched alloys, the characteristic contact angle of the lens-shaped grain boundary inclusions was found to be near 120 degrees. This angle remained approximately constant over the entire temperature range, ruling out the possibility of a wetting transition. Coarsening of grain boundary inclusions was observed to proceed mainly by Ostwald ripening, although coalescence could also be observed. Inclusions at grain boundaries, at triple junctions, and at the intersection of grain boundaries with the foil surfaces adopted characteristic shapes that were shown to be equilibrium forms. At the highest temperatures, the grain boundaries were observed to detach from the inclusions and the interaction of a migrating grain boundary with inclusions could be observed.