Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
Using embedded atom potentials and molecular statics we calculate the structure and energy of [001] tilt grain boundaries in NiAl for 25 orientations with Σ values from 5 to 185. For three structures (stoichiometric, Ni-rich and Al-rich) of the Σ = 5 (210) boundary we simulate tracer self-diffusion by the vacancy mechanism both parallel and perpendicular to the tilt axis using the Monte Carlo technique. The effective activation energy calculated in a wide temperature range is compared with the spectrum of individual jump energies in the boundary core. The results are interpreted in terms of the grain boundary structure-diffusion relationship and the role of the jump correlation effect in grain boundary diffusion.