Mass transport along grain boundaries of silver

Abstract

Thin-film specimens having the layered structure Pb/Ag/Au were prepared for a study of reaction between Pb and Au. The reaction requires mass transport of Au and Pb atoms through the intermediate layer of Ag. It is found that after annealing at 200°C for more than 24 h the compound Pb2Au can be detected in those specimens where the Ag layer is polycrystalline but not in specimens where the Ag layer is a single crystal. These results indicate that grain boundaries in polycrystalline Ag layer act as paths for rapid transport of Au and Pb atoms. © 1972 The American Institute of Physics.