An initial analysis of mechanisms leading to late stage abnormal grain growth in nanocrystalline Ni

A late stage of abnormal grain growth, having unusual planar abnormal growth interfaces, is observed during the isothermal annealing of electrodeposited nanocrystalline Ni and Ni-Fe alloys. This communication presents observations of grain embedding and the presence of a wetting, sulfur-rich second phase at the abnormal growth interface and suggests a growth mechanism. (C) 2002 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.