Several factors influence GBS, including grain size, temperature, and the presence of impurities or second-phase particles.
1. Grain Size: Smaller grains increase the number of grain boundaries, thereby enhancing the likelihood of GBS. Nanocrystalline materials, with grain sizes less than 100 nm, show significant GBS activity. 2. Temperature: Elevated temperatures increase atomic mobility, making it easier for grains to slide past each other. This is particularly relevant in applications involving high-temperature environments. 3. Impurities and Second-Phase Particles: Impurities can either hinder or facilitate GBS. Solute atoms may segregate to grain boundaries and either pin them, reducing GBS, or create local stress fields that enhance sliding.
