Investigation of grain boundary strength by high resolution transmission electron microscopy and in situ mechanical test

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25889015
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Structural/Functional materials
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: TOCHIGI Eita 東京大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 助教 (50709483)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-08-30 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 粒界 / アルミナ / 破壊 / ドーパント / 透過型電子顕微鏡 / その場機械試験

Outline of Final Research Achievements

To investigate grain boundary fracture phenomena at the atomic level, we developed experimental techniques using atomic-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and in situ TEM mechanical test, and we collected some preliminary experimental data. An alumina ∑13 grain boundary doped with Zr atoms was fractured by in situ TEM nanoindentation. It was observed that a crack propagated along the grain boundary. Further, the fracture surfaces were observed by atomic resolution scanning TEM. Zr atoms were seen to remain over a few layers on the fracture surfaces. This indicates that the crack propagates within the Zr layers segregated at the grain boundary. In addition, the experimental techniques used in this study are shown to be effective to investigate grain boundary fracture phenomena.

Free Research Field

材料科学