Thermodynamics and kinetics of grain boundaries in metals

Thermodynamical properties of grain boundaries and interphase boundaries in metals, kinetics of diffusion processes and migration were considered on the basis of investigation into bicrystalline samples with known geometrical, crystallographic and chemical characteristics of the boundaries. Existing experimental methods for investigating grain boundaries and interphase boundaries are reviewed critically. Analysis of thermodynamical models of a surface layer is given. Methods for determining boundary diffusion parameters are discussed