Microstructure Instability during Particle and Solute Inhibited Grain Growth

Abstract

Grain growth processes in real polycrystalline materials are mostly characterized by the presence of restraining forces, originating, among others, from second phase particles dispersion (Zener drag) or solute atoms segregating at the grain boundaries (solute drag). Both the restraining mechanisms were introduced in the framework of the statistical theory of grain growth, showing their peculiar effects on kinetics and on grain size distribution evolution [1,2,. The present work moves from the previous results and gives a further clarification of pseudo-steady state kinetics occurring under particular solute drag inhibition intensity and will discuss it in comparison with grain growth stagnation conditions produced by Zener drag. In case of second phase particle inhibiting grain growth, the normal case in real systems is the time and temperature dependence of the inhibition intensity due to the evolution of precipitates (e.g. Ostwald ripening. Such evolutions of inhibition, which typically drops with increasing temperature, can cause microstructure instabilities like abnormal grain growth or secondary recrystallization. It is thus introduced in the model a time-temperature depending inhibition drop, which influences both kinetics and grain size distribution evolution. Conditions for the onset of particular effects like abnormal grain growth are assessed and discussed.