Axisymmetric finite-element simulation of grain growth behaviour

An axisymmetric finite-element method is developed for predicting the evolution behaviour of microstructures by evaporation-condensation. The formulation of the method is conducted on the basis of the energy principle during the interface motion and the numerical procedure is described in detail. The accuracy and potential of the method have been demonstrated by a good agreement of the theoretical solutions with the numerical simulation of a grain evolution process induced by both surface tension and the free-energy difference between the two phases in bulk. Finite-element simulations show that the grain growth behaviour is not only sensitive to its initial shape, but also influenced by the environment. As the initial aspect ratio of the penny-shaped grain increases, both the spheroidization time and the volume shrinkage time increase continuously. The volume shrinkage process of the penny-shaped grain can be greatly promoted with an increase in the free-energy difference. In addition, we find that the evolution time is a linear function of the aspect ratio or the free-energy difference when the free-energy difference or the aspect ratio is small, respectively.