Static Recrystallization Simulation of Interstitial Free‐Steel by Coupling Multi‐Phase‐Field and Crystal Plasticity Model Considering Dislocation Density Distribution

Knowledge of alloy recrystallization is key to optimizing microstructures and achieving superior material properties. Computational models predicting microstructural evolution during recrystallization significantly enhance control of microstructure formation during manufacturing. Accurate prediction of microstructural parameters, including recrystallization fraction and grain size, is highly desirable. However, developing robust recrystallization models under various processing conditions remains an active research area. Herein, using interstitial free‐steel for simulations and experiments, plastic deformation of polycrystalline material is simulated using a physics‐based crystal plasticity model. A real microstructure serves as the initial configuration. The resulting inhomogeneous dislocation density distribution and deformed grain topology are used in a multi‐phase‐field simulation of recrystallization. In primary recrystallization, nucleation strongly influences kinetics and the final microstructure. In the model, the dislocation density distribution predicts both the number and positions of nuclei. Comparing simulations—one considering the dislocation density distribution in both nucleation and evolution and the other assuming constant dislocation density and random seed positioning—demonstrates the importance of heterogeneous dislocation distribution. Results confirm that static recrystallization simulations, accurately reflecting plastic deformation and utilizing the dislocation density distribution as the driving force for grain growth and nucleation, can be successfully performed using the proposed model.