[en] Hybrid reactors are a new concept for energy production and nuclear waste treatment. Among other requirements, structural materials have to withstand liquid metal embrittlement. This thesis aimed therefore to identify the controlling mechanism for the intergranular embrittlement of copper in contact with liquid bismuth. Scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy have been used to analyze fracture surfaces of both copper polycrystals and a copper bicrystal (symmetric tilt boundary 50 degrees <100>). These analyses reveal both parabolic intergranular penetration kinetics and a maximal intergranular bismuth concentration that is less than two monolayers equivalent. These two results allow us to identify grain boundary diffusion as the controlling mechanism for the intergranular penetration of copper by liquid bismuth between 300 and 600 Celsius degrees, showing the absence of perfect grain boundary wetting. (author)