In-Situ Quantification of Solute Effects on Grain Boundary Mobility and Character in Aluminum Alloys During Recrystallization

Aluminum alloys exhibit recrystallization kinetics that vary strongly with composition. The conventional understanding is that certain alloying elements, e.g. chromium, retard grain boundary motion due to the formation of fine dispersions of second phase particles, giving rise to particle drag of boundaries. There is countervailing evidence, however, that suggests that solute drag provides a stronger influence on grain boundary mobility. This paper presents new evidence for a pronounced effect of solute based on experiments in which individual boundaries migrate under the driving pressure of stored energy from prior plastic strain. As supported by the literature, boundaries exhibit a maximum mobility for a 38-39 degree <111> misorientation in initial annealing experiments. Specifically, this mobility maximum is asymmetric with a sharp cutoff below 38-39 degrees but a more gradual decrease at misorientations beyond 40 degrees. The occurrence of other, smaller mobility peaks is discussed within the context of the sharpening of evolving maxima with discussed within the context of the sharpening of evolving maxima with increased recrystallization. The presence of a minimum at 38-39 degrees is found at both higher temperatures and higher solute concentrations. This transition from a local mobility maximum to a minimum is discussed within the context of recent theories solute drag activity.