A phenomenological approach to investigate nanocrystalline grain growth

A phenomenological approach to model the size effect observed during grain growth in nanocrystalline materials is presented. To that aim, the standard Monte Carlo Potts model is modified such that the mobility of grain boundaries depends on their triple junction distance. For initially very small grains growth kinetics are observed that are in agreement with experimental results, theoretical predictions and another simulation approach using a direct modification of the triple junction mobilities.