Dynamic abnormal grain growth: A new method to produce single crystals

Dynamic abnormal grain growth (DAGG) is a newly discovered phenomenon which can be used to produce large single crystals from polycrystalline material in the solid state at temperatures above approximately half the melting temperature. The unique aspect of DAGG, compared to previously understood abnormal grain growth phenomena, is the requirement of plastic straining for initiation and propagation of abnormal grain growth. Our findings demonstrate that DAGG can be used to produce large single crystals of molybdenum in the solid state. (C) 2009 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.