Microstructure evolution influenced by dislocation density gradients modeled in a reaction-diffusion system

► Dislocation density evloution is modeled as a reaction-diffusion system. ► Gradient effects due to the presence of grain boundaries are introduced. ► A hybrid finite difference/cellular automaton algorithm is established. ► Macroscopically, a Hall-Petch behavior is obtained. ► Novel simulations of dynamic recrystallization are shown.