Monte Carlo simulation of grain growth with the full spectra of grain orientation and grain boundary energy

Abstract

Monte Carlo simulations of grain growth were performed for two-dimensional polycrystals with crystallographic orientations being assigned to individual grains in terms of randomly generated Euler angles. Individual grain boundaries were characterized based on the orientation relationships of grains across them and grain boundary energies were given with a continuous function of deviation angle from the exact coincidence orientation relationships. The physical and technical significance of the conditions of the orientation change in the simulations is discussed in terms of the degree of the probablistic nature of the simulation. The simulations showed the following characteristic features: (1) the energy spectra make the grain size distribution more symmetric; (2) they make the average grain growth rate smaller; and (3) the fraction of low energy boundaries increases with grain growth. These results are discussed with respect to local boundary configurations and the nature of the present model.