Analysis of grain boundary network topology using grain boundary wetting

A statistical method for the experimental study of the grain boundary network topology is proposed. The experimental binary classification of grain boundaries is based on their wetting behavior (wetted and non-wetted grain boundaries). The grain boundary energy distribution is used to describe the intergranular liquid network topology by means of the percolation theory. The model is applied to the experimental study of grain boundary wetting of polycrystalline zinc and aluminum by liquid gallium. Elemental mapping in a scanning electron microscope is used for cluster determination. The experimental observations are in accordance with the theory.