Mean Field Modeling of Grain Growth and Zener Pinning

Abstract

A mean-field model has been developed to simulate curvature-driven grain growth by exploring the evolution of grain size distribution under arbitrary thermal histories. The model was integrated into precipitation module TC-PRISMA, so that the pinning effect of the concurrently precipitated particles on the growing grains can be considered by a modified, location-specific Zener model. The developed model was validated against analytical calculations, and then applied to real alloy systems, fed with assessed grain boundary energy and mobility data. Its capabilities, limitations, and directions to improvements have been discussed.

Computationally Efficient Algorithm for Modeling Grain Growth Using Hillert’s Mean-Field Approach

“…The simulated grain-size distribution was compared to the measured distributions for relatively short times of up to 100 s. Wu et al developed MFM for normal grain-growth simulations, successfully validated against parabolic growth theory, and obtained a steady-state Hillert distribution. However, the outputs did not align well with the experimental data [23]. Maire et al [24] evaluated the MFMs of grain growth against 3D full-field simulations.…”