Equilibrium crystal shape of Bi-saturated Cu crystals at 1223 K Original Research Article

The equilibrium crystal shape (ECS) of Bi-saturated Cu at 1223 K has been studied, after quenching the material to room temperature, by a scanning electron microscopy investigation of the shapes of pores (or negative crystals) that are present on grain boundary fracture surfaces. Bi-saturation of Cu surfaces at 1223 K results in dramatic changes in the ECS compared to pure Cu. Whereas all possible surface orientations are stable in the case of pure Cu, only the {1 1 1}, {1 0 0}, {1 1 0}, and {3 2 0} orientations are stable in Bi-saturated Cu crystals. In addition, the weak maximum anisotropy of pure Cu of 2% is increased fourfold by Bi saturation of the surface.