A computationally efficient and mechanically compatible multi-phase-field model to stressed solids

Engineering alloys generally exhibit multi-phase microstructures. For simulating their microstructure evolution during solid-state phase transformation, CALPHAD-guided multi-phase-field models coupled with micro -mechanics have proven to be a reliable simulation tool. Nevertheless, their efficiency and accuracy still depend on the homogenization scheme used to interpolate the elastic properties in the interfacial regions. In this paper, we present a phase-field model for multi-phase and multi-component solids using a partial rank-one homogenization scheme that enforces static and kinematic compatibilities in the interfacial regions. To this end, we first extend the rank-one homogenization scheme to multi-phase systems. Moreover, for computational efficiency, we analytically solve the static compatibility equations for linear elastic three-phase solids. For quantitative accuracy, a coupling technique is used to extract the prerequisite thermodynamic and kinetic properties from CALPHAD databases. The model is solved numerically in an open source finite-element framework. As numerical applications, the microstructure of two elastically stressed intermetallic-containing three-phase alloys: Ni-Al and Al-Cr-Ni, are simulated. The accuracy of the model is verified against analytically obtained solutions for planar and concentric ring interfaces. We show that the simulation results remain unaltered with varying interface width. Except for one simulation, all cases show better or nearly equal convergence using the partial rank-one scheme compared to the Voigt-Taylor scheme.

Automated summary

A phase-field model for simulating microstructure evolution in multi-phase and multi-component solids is presented. The model uses a partial rank-one homogenization scheme and is verified to be accurate through numerical simulations.