Stability in thin film multilayers and microlaminates: the role of free energy, structure, and orientation at interfaces and grain boundaries

In polycrystalline multilayer systems, the free energies of the interfaces and grain boundaries will determine the relative stability of each layer as well as the overall stability of the system. The stability of immiscible systems and systems that form intermetallic compounds is discussed, and the effects of texture and orientation of grains on stability are examined. (C) 2003 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.