Effect of Interstitial Hydrogen on Cohesive Strength of Al Grain Boundary with Mg Segregation

The effect of interstitial hydrogen on the cohesion of the Al ∑=11(113) grain boundary (GB) is investigated based on the thermodynamic model of Rice-Wang using the first-principles density function calculation. The results indicate that interstitial H behaves as an embrittler from "strengthening energy" analysis. The reduced GB cohesion due to the presence of H at the GB is attributed to the low affinity between H and Al, and the weakened bonding of Al atomic pairs perpendicular to GB plane.