Monte Carlo simulation of microstructure evolution based on grain boundarycharacter distribution

A Monte Carlo simulation of microstructure evolution was conducted with emp hasis on grain growth anomaly and texture formation arising from grain boun dary characteristics. Microstructures consisting of strategically varied gr ain size, grain boundary mobility and texture components were generated. It was found that the initial grain size was of the most significant paramete r that determines the topographical properties of the final microstructure. Contrary to some observations and expectations, high-energy grain boundari es of high mobility did not necessarily vanish first but sometimes persiste d and even increased in areal fraction depending on the local distribution of characteristics. In a microstructure with two texture components, an abn ormal gain growth occurred when a large grain with high mobility selectivel y grew consuming surrounding small grains. From the analysis of the variati on of grain boundary fraction and associated energy reduction, it was concl uded that minimization of the total energy of the system. instead of the lo cal instability, governed the evolution characteristics of the microstructu re. Published by Elsevier Science S.A.