Monte Carlo simulation of Zener pinning in two dimensions

The effect of second-phase particles on grain growth was simulated in two dimensions with the help of a Monte Carlo method. A wide range of particle surface fractions was considered, from 10−4 to 10−1. Particle unpinning from grain boundaries was only observed for small volume fractions (f≤2×10−2). The average size of the grains in the pinned microstructure was investigated as a function of f and the fraction φ of particles interacting with the grain boundaries. The normalised stagnant grain size was found to scale with (φf)−1/2. These results are discussed in terms of the available non-random approaches of grain boundary pinning by particles.