Statistically representative three-dimensional microstructures based on orthogonal observation sections

• Published in: Metallurgical and materials transactions. A, Physical metallurgy and materials science Vol. 35; no. 7; pp. 1969 - 1979
• Main Authors: SAYLOR, David M, FRIDY, Joseph, EL-DASHER, Bassem S, JUNG, Kee-Young, ROLLETT, Anthony D
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer 01-07-2004; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Crystallography; Exact sciences and technology; Geometry; Materials science; Materials synthesis; materials processing; Microstructure; Physics; Polycrystals; Powder processing: powder metallurgy, compaction, sintering, mechanical alloying, and granulation; Grain size; Scanning electron microscopy; Statistical analysis; Rolling; Polycrystals; Aluminium; Computerized simulation; Grain orientation; Experimental study; High angle grain boundary; Three dimensional structure; Microstructure; Computer aid
• ISSN: 1073-5623; 1543-1940
• DOI: 10.1007/s11661-004-0146-0

Techniques are described that have been used to create a statistically representative three-dimensional model microstructure for input into computer simulations using the geometric and crystallographic observations from two orthogonal sections through an aluminum polycrystal. Orientation maps collected on the observation planes are used to characterize the sizes, shapes, and orientations of grains. Using a voxel-based tessellation technique, a microstructure is generated with grains whose size and shape are constructed to conform to those measured experimentally. Orientations are then overlaid on the grain structure such that distribution of grain orientations and the nearest-neighbor relationships, specified by the distribution of relative misorientations across grain boundaries, match the experimentally measured distributions. The techniques arc applicable to polycrystalline materials with sufficiently compact grain shapes and can also be used to controllably generate a wide variety of hypothetical microstructures for initial states in computer simulations. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]