A discrete approach to grain growth based on pair interactions Original Research Article

A discrete 3D model for normal grain growth based on pair interactions is presented where the inhibition effect due to second phase particles is also considered. A probabilistic approach has been adopted to evaluate the contact probability between neighbouring grains and the continuity equation has been reformulated and adapted to the structure of the interactions in a discrete system. The present model predicts a quasi-stationary grain size distribution more symmetrical than that by the analytical mean field theory by Hillert. As expected, its skewness is modified by the presence of inhibition by second phases. It is demonstrated that this new approach represents a valuable alternative to the mean field models even if, at present, it gives only a small improvement in explaining the shape of the quasi-stationary grain size distribution found in experiments.