Recrystallization studied with indentation tests and coupled crystal plasticity and cellular automaton simulations

In this project an integrated simulation strategy for studying primary static recrystallization was developed and applied to a single-crystal nickel-base superalloy. By using a crystal plasticity finite element approach, the driving force for nucleation and grain growth around a Brinell-type indent was modeled.

The crystal-plasticity approach was validated by comparison to the experimentally observed pile-up behavior and the load-displacement curve obtained from the indentation test. The crystal plasticity material parameters were fitted to uniaxial compression data of a corresponding single-crystal. Good agreement between experiment and simulation was obtained for the anisotropic pile-up pattern. A subsequent annealing process, leading to the formation of new grains via primary recrystallization, was simulated by using a probabilistic cellular automaton that employed a continuous nucleation model. This simulation was not only reflecting the kinetics of primary recrystallization, but it was also capable to match the experimentally observed recrystallization microstructures. More specific this study presents crystal-plasticity finite-element calculations of room temperature deformation of a single-crystal nickel-base superalloy and simulation results on the microstructural development during subsequent recrystallization.