An integrated full-field model of concurrent plastic deformation and microstructure evolution: Application to 3D simulation of dynamic recrystallization in polycrystalline copper

• Full coupling between crystal plasticity and phase-field is achieved using FFT.
• Dislocation-based constitutive theory is implemented in FFT framework.
• 3D full-field quantitative simulation of dynamic recrystallization is performed.
• Dynamic recrystallization statistically correlates with heterogeneous deformation.
• Local stress redistribution is responsible for dislocation evolution and softening.

Many time-dependent deformation processes at elevated temperatures produce significant concurrent microstructure changes that can alter the mechanical properties in a profound manner. Such microstructure evolution is usually absent in mesoscale deformation models and simulations. Here we present an integrated full-field modeling scheme that couples the mechanical response with the underlying microstructure evolution. As a first demonstration, we integrate a fast Fourier transform-based elasto-viscoplastic (FFT-EVP) model with a phase-field (PF) recrystallization model, and carry out three-dimensional simulations of dynamic recrystallization (DRX) in polycrystalline copper. A physics-based coupling between FFT-EVP and PF is achieved by (1) adopting a dislocation-based constitutive model in FFT-EVP, which allows the predicted dislocation density distribution to be converted to a stored energy distribution and passed to PF, and (2) implementing a stochastic nucleation model for DRX. Calibrated with the experimental DRX stress–strain curves, the integrated model is able to deliver full-field mechanical and microstructural information, from which quantitative description and analysis of DRX can be achieved. It is suggested that the initiation of DRX occurs significantly earlier than previous predictions, due to heterogeneous deformation. DRX grains are revealed to form at both grain boundaries and junctions (e.g., quadruple junctions) and tend to grow in a wedge-like fashion to maintain a triple line (not necessarily in equilibrium) with old grains. The resulting stress redistribution due to strain compatibility is found to have a profound influence on the subsequent dislocation evolution and softening.