Review on modeling and simulation of microstructure evolution during dynamic recrystallization using cellular automaton method

The macro-mechanical properties of metal and alloy are largely depended on their chemical composition and microstructures resulting from the complicated processing and heat treatment history in industrial production. During these thermoplastic processes, dynamic recovery, dynamic recrystallization, static recovery and static recrystallization are the key microstructural evolution mechanisms. Accurate prediction and precise control of the microstructural evolution are of great importance for designers to achieve excellent mechanical properties for metals and alloys through hot working. Up to date, dynamic recrystallization has been recognized as a powerful mechanism for grain refinement. In-depth understanding of the microstructural evolution of dynamic recrystallization and furthermore to accurately predict and control the microstructure evolution during dynamic recrystallization process has become a research focus in the field of plastic processing. Cellular automaton (CA) method has been commonly employed to simulate the microstructure evolution of dynamic recrystallization due to its unique advantages, for example, it is easier to represent topological features and more realistically reflect the grain boundary migration process. In this paper, the basic ideas and characteristics of the CA method are briefly introduced. The physical mechanisms of dynamic recrystallization are summarized. Meanwhile, the state-of-the-art overview of the CA method of simulating the DRX process is introduced. Furthermore, this paper points out several problems that need to be solved urgently and prospects the development trend of the CA method for simulating the microstructure evolution in dynamic recrystallization.