Modeling and experiments on the indentation deformation and recrystallization of a single-crystal nickel-base superalloy

This study presents crystal-plasticity finite-element calculations of room temperature deformation of a single-crystal nickel-base superalloy and simulation results on the microstructural development during subsequent recrystallization. The predictions are compared to corresponding experiments. Single-crystalline material is deformed by Brinell-type indentation using a spherical indenter of 1 mm in diameter. A succeeding annealing under inert atmosphere leads to the formation of recrystallized grains around the indents. The crystal plasticity finite element method is used to predict the distribution of crystallographic slip around the indents. The amount of accumulated slip is used to estimate the stored deformation energy in the indented volume. A 2D probabilistic cellular automaton simulation is then applied to the predicted distribution of the stored energy for the simulation of the formation and growth of new grains around the indents. The cellular automaton predicts the kinetics, microstructures, and crystallographic texture evolving during recrystallization.