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Interrogation of Alumina Grain Boundaries using Atomic Force Microscopy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 February 2011

P.A. Tibble ,
B.R. Heywood ,
R. Richardson  and
P. Barnes
P.A. Tibble
Affiliation:
School of Chemistry & Physics, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK, chd16@chem.keele.ac.uk
B.R. Heywood
Affiliation:
School of Chemistry & Physics, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK, chd16@chem.keele.ac.uk
R. Richardson
Affiliation:
School of Engineering & Advanced Technology, Staffordshire University, Staffordshire, UK
P. Barnes
Affiliation:
School of Engineering & Advanced Technology, Staffordshire University, Staffordshire, UK
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Abstract

A number of MgO doped (3wt%) polycrystalline alumina samples were prepared. The preparation of these samples varied; different regimes for annealing (1500 – 1600°C) and a range of dwell times were examined. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study surface features. Information on grain boundary dimensions (depth, width) is presented along with a study of grain particle size. The growth of the grain boundaries was found to contradict Mullins' theory of uniform growth with time. We also present evidence for Ostwalds' ripening and the preferential growth of [001] oriented grains.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 580: Symposium E – Nucleation & Growth Processes in Materials , 1999 , 207
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2000

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