Chapter 2 - Modeling of Processing–Microstructure–Properties Relationships

Abstract

This chapter provides an overview of the mechanisms that govern the processing–microstructure–properties relationships, which form the basis of the “Systems Approach” for alloy and process design. Features of the material properties, hierarchical microstructures, and the sensitivities of the properties to the microstructure or lack thereof are discussed in terms of the ability to predictively model the properties. Methods used to model the effects of processing on microstructural development are also discussed briefly and related to the extent to which computational techniques can be applied for alloy and process design. Emphasis is on aluminum, titanium, magnesium, and steel alloys with diverse and distinct microstructural features and how they interact to provide combinations of properties important for mechanical design, which are compared and contrasted to describe alloy design for both properties and amenability to manufacturing.