Modeling Recrystallization in Aluminum Using Input from Experimental Observations

Abstract

A model has been constructed for the microstructural evolution that occurs during the annealing of aluminum alloys. Geometric and crystallographic observations from two orthogonal sections through a polycrystal using automated Electron Back-Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) were used as an input to the computer simulations to create a statistically representative threedimensional model. The microstructure is generated using a voxel-based tessellation technique. Assignment of orientations to the grains is controlled to ensure that both texture and nearest neighbor relationships match the observed distributions. The microstructures thus obtained are allowed to evolve using a Monte-Carlo simulation. Anisotropic grain boundary properties are used in the simulations. Nucleation is done in accordance with experimental observations on the likelihood of occurrences in particular neighborhoods. We will present the effect of temperature on the model predictions.