Three-Dimensional Grain Growth Model Using the Phase Field Approach

Project

For most advanced polycrystalline and metallic materials when exposed to high temperatures, the grain growth dynamics highly influence their mechanical and electrical properties. While a fine grain size is required for obtaining good ductility and toughness, large grain size is required for high temperature applications for resisting creep deformation. Therefore, it is important to understand the grain growth kinetics and how microstructures evolve. Grain growth is primarily driven by a reduction in total boundary energy with respect to time.

This project attempts to simulate this phenomenon through the use of computational modeling of grain growth in three-dimensions using a Phase Field method. The input for the phase field code is an initial grain structure that is obtained using a three-dimensional Monte Carlo code. The grain structure is further evolved using Monte Carlo and Phase Field codes separately. The computational algorithms for evolving grain structures of a Phase Field and Monte Carlo model are shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. The resulting simulations of the grain structure and growth characteristics are compared to see what method best simulates realistic grain growth without coalescence in materials.