An evaluation of grain boundary engineering technology and processing scale-up

Abstract

Grain boundary engineering is the manipulation of low stacking-fault energy, face- centered cubic material microstructures to break the connectivity of the general grain boundary network through the addition of special grain boundaries. Grain boundary engineering processing consists of thermomechanical cycling, i.e. repeated strain and annealing sequences and provides a method of producing more robust polycrystalline materials. This evaluation presents an introduction to the fundamental principles of grain boundary engineering, reviews the processing techniques and relevant intellectual property, analyzes the processing variables and their effect on a manufacturing line, surveys the current market and competition, and provides a preliminary cost analysis.