Modelling of primary recrystallization using digital microstructures

Procedures for synthesizing and meshing digital polycrystalline microstructures are demonstrated. The meshing operation relies on a metric field, yielding a nonuniform mesh size and a nonuniform mesh aspect ratio. Isotropic meshing is done in the grains interior, while anisotropic meshing is used close to the grain boundaries. Digital mechanical testing can then take place using crystal plasticity finite element simulations, which provides an estimate of the spatial distribution of strain energy within the polycrystalline aggregate. The latter quantity is used as an input for modelling subsequent static recrystallization, grain boundary motion being described with a level set framework. The kinetic law for interface motion uses the stored strain energy as an input to define local interface velocities. The possibility to include nucleation events within the level set framework is discussed, as well as the evolving topology of the grain boundary network.