A review of microstructural computer models used to simulate grain growth and recrystallisation in aluminium alloys

Abstract

Microstructural computer models which explicitly model the topology and network connectivity of evolving grain and subgrain structures are reviewed. Simulations of grain growth, abnormal grain growth and recrystallisation and using various modelling techniques such as vertex models, Monte Carlo Potts models, phase field models, and cellular automata models are described. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of model are discussed along with multiscale approaches to link each type of model. The problems of modelling industrial alloys using these approaches are analysed, in particular focusing on the use of experimentally measured materials properties and incorporating experimental starting microstructures into the simulations. The difficulties of modelling nucleation and linking deformation models to annealing models are considered.