Phase-field simulations with inhomogeneous elasticity: Comparison with an atomic-scale method and application to superalloys

We present a 2D and 3D phase-field analysis of microstructure evolution in the presence of a lattice misfit and with inhomogeneous elastic constants. The method is first critically compared with a Monte Carlo modeling at the atomic scale. We then apply the phase-field model to the Ni-Al system under external load along a cubic axis. We find that the microstructure becomes anisotropic and that the situation qualitatively differs depending on the sign of the applied stress. The microstructure evolution operates mainly by shape changes and alignments of precipitates, but also by splitting of precipitates initially elongated along directions perpendicular to the stress-induced, elastically favorable directions. The final microstructure is finally qualitatively analyzed in terms of a mean field theory in which the elastic inhomogeneity is embedded into an effective eigenstrain. This analysis leads to a simple formulation which can be used to easily predict the coherent microstructural anisotropy induced by any external loading condition. (C) 2010 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.