ANALYSIS OF PENETRATION DATA FROM GRAIN BOUNDARY DIFFUSION EXPERIMENTS

The results from computer solutions to the various mathematical analyses of the grain boundary diffusion problem which have previously been developed are presented in a convenient manner for interpretation of grain boundary diffusion measurements using the penetration depth technique. In particular, the results allow a quantitative assessment of the limitations and applicability of the two approximate solutions due to Fisher and Whipple. The present results also permit the use of Whipple's exact solution for data analysis using a simple graphical technique. Results of several previous grain boundary diffusion investigations are reevaluated by applying the exact solution to the published penetration data. It is concluded that the activation energy for grain boundary diffusion along 〈100〉 symmetrical tilt grain boundaries is independent of grain boundary misorientation. © 1969 The American Institute of Physics.