Microstructural Evolution in Elastically-stressed Solids: A Phase-field Simulation

Simulation of microstructures under different processing conditions is important for fine- tuning the processing window as well as to understand the mechanisms. Phase field simulation has gained importance for problems with diffuse interfaces. Since in this simulation, thermodynamic driving forces (chemical as well as non-chemical) and kinetic constraints have been naturally incorporated, it has the potential to simulate microstructures under different processing and service conditions. In this paper, DMRL's initiatives on using phase field simulations to understand microstructural evolution in both the phase separating and precipitating model systems have been presented. The influence of misfit stresses on the morphology of microstructures has been described. Output from actual thermodynamic calculations can be combined with these simulations to study systems of technological importance.