Structural Basis of Interface Engineering

The paper analyses in a systematic manner these structural factors of interfaces in relation to their properties that constitute the background of "interface engineering". It is shown that the specific properties of interfaces are related to their structure. A brief description of recent structural models of interfaces is therefore presented. A new concept of interface microstructure composed of different kinds of interfacial defects is introduced and their role in determining the interface properties is emphasised. It is shown that interfaces control the processes taking place in the material under external solicitations or during the microstructure formation, mainly through their interaction with other crystal defects. Various examples illustrating the possibility of controlling and improving the material properties by appropriate changes of interface structures are presented in the case of metals, alloys, intermetallics and ceramics. PACS numbers: 61.72.Mm