Tutorial review -: Grain boundary segregation and fracture resistance of engineering steels

The developments in surface analytical techniques and experimental measurements have made it possible to understand grain boundary segregation processes and related fracture mechanisms. This article shows how experimental contributions have led to the concept of grain boundary segregation isotherms for a complete understanding of grain boundary segregation behavior, and its effect on material properties in terms of the kinetics of segregation, the interaction processes amongst trace and solute elements and the influence of solute elements, heat treatment practice and applied tensile stress on grain boundary segregation processes. The determining role of grain boundary chemistry in obtaining a marked improvement in toughness of engineering steels at the specified levels of strength is elucidated here. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.