Predicting Mesoscale Microstructural Evolution in Electron Beam Welding

• Published in: JOM (1989) Vol. 68; no. 5; pp. 1419 - 1426
• Main Authors: Rodgers, T. M., Madison, J. D., Tikare, V., Maguire, M. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.05.2016; Springer Nature B.V; Springer
• Subjects: Chemistry/Food Science; Earth Sciences; electron beam welding; Electrons; Energy; Engineering; Environment; Experiments; Geometry; Grain boundaries; Grain growth; Grain size; Heat; kinetic Monte Carlo; Laboratories; MATERIALS SCIENCE; mesoscale; Microstructure; Monte Carlo simulation; Morphology; Physics; Simulation; Solidification; Studies; Temperature; Velocity; Welding; Fusion Zone; Electron Beam Weld; Grain Shape; Welding; Monte Carlo Step
• ISSN: 1047-4838; 1543-1851
• DOI: 10.1007/s11837-016-1863-8

Using the kinetic Monte Carlo simulator, Stochastic Parallel PARticle Kinetic Simulator, from Sandia National Laboratories, a user routine has been developed to simulate mesoscale predictions of a grain structure near a moving heat source. Here, we demonstrate the use of this user routine to produce voxelized, synthetic, three-dimensional microstructures for electron-beam welding by comparing them with experimentally produced microstructures. When simulation input parameters are matched to experimental process parameters, qualitative and quantitative agreement for both grain size and grain morphology are achieved. The method is capable of simulating both single- and multipass welds. The simulations provide an opportunity for not only accelerated design but also the integration of simulation and experiments in design such that simulations can receive parameter bounds from experiments and, in turn, provide predictions of a resultant microstructure.