Geometrical Similarities Between Metallic Real and Computationally Simulated Grain Structures (Equiaxed Polygonal Grains)

Metallic materials are formed with grain structures which are naturally formed during solidification or modified after any manufacturing process, such as rolling, cutting, machining, welding, etc. Grains with different sizes and geometrical morphologies have a strong influence on the micro- and macro properties of metallic materials. This is the reason why many authors have worked on computer simulations based on numerical methods, applying chaos theory and using graphical techniques for its reproduction. Thus, this manuscript is focused on the comparison between grain structures obtained computationally with grains in real metallic samples. The analyzed structures in this work were polygonal and equiaxed, they resulted from a dynamic evolution in which nucleation and growth procedures were simulated. Then, computational algorithms and standardized procedures were used for characterization. Thus, in order to demonstrate the geometrical similarities and differences in mathematical terms, similarities between sample features were calculated, measuring sizes and populations along different directions which could be used to establish rules and parameters for the appropriate control of nucleation and growth. Furthermore, the influence of the computational methods for simulation and characterization are also described in detail.