Effect of microelasticity on grain growth: Texture evolution and abnormal grain growth

A phase field grain growth model including elastic anisotropy and inhomogeneity was developed to demonstrate the effect of microelasticity on the grain growth. The mechanical response against an external load was found to control grain growth and texture evolution. In contrast to previous macroelastic descriptions, these results showed that elastically soft grains with higher strain energy density can grow at the expense of the elastically hard grains to reduce the total strain energy.

► We develop a phase field grain growth model combined with a micro-elasticity effect.
► The micro-elasticity turns out to play a key role in controlling grain growth and texture evolution.
► Strong localization of strain energy density and inhomogeneous distribution even inside grains are observed.
► An external load can cause abnormal grain growth in the system with high elastic anisotropy.
► Elastically soft grains with higher strain energy density grow at the expense of the elastically hard grains to reduce the total strain energy.