On the accuracy of the predictions of texture evolution by the finite element technique for fcc polycrystals

Numerical averaging procedures utilizing the finite element technique have been suggested in literature as an improvement over the Taylor averaging sc heme for modeling the constitutive behavior of polycrystal aggregates with a known distribution of lattice orientations and a known single crystal con stitutive behavior. In this paper, the accuracy of the finite element avera ging procedure is evaluated critically by comparing the orientation densiti es of the alpha and beta-fiber components in rolling textures of fee metals predicted by both the finite element and the Taylor averaging techniques w ith the corresponding measurements. It is observed that the finite element predictions are in better agreement with the experiment compared to the Tay lor model predictions, especially for the beta-fiber texture components. In addition, the sensitivity of the results predicted by the finite element t echnique to the various geometric and material parameters in the model has been evaluated and discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights res erved.