Linking phase-field and finite-element modeling for process–structure–property relations of a Ni-base superalloy Original Research Article

Establishing process–structure–property relationships is an important objective in the paradigm of materials design in order to reduce the time and cost needed to develop new materials. A method to link phase-field (process–structure relations) and microstructure-sensitive finite-element (structure–property relations) modeling is demonstrated for subsolvus polycrystalline IN100. A three-dimensional experimental dataset obtained by orientation imaging microscopy performed on serial sections is utilized to calibrate a phase-field model and to calculate inputs for a finite-element analysis. Simulated annealing of the dataset realized through phase-field modeling results in a range of coarsened microstructures with varying grain size distributions that are each input into the finite-element model. A rate-dependent crystal plasticity constitutive model that captures the first-order effects of grain size, precipitate size and precipitate volume fraction on the mechanical response of IN100 at 650 °C is used to simulate stress–strain behavior of the coarsened polycrystals. Model limitations and ideas for future work are discussed.