Stochastic modeling of discontinuous dynamic recrystallization at finite strains in hcp metals

We present a model that aims to describe the effective, macroscale material response as well as the underlying mesoscale processes during discontinuous dynamic recrystallization under severe plastic deformation. Broadly, the model brings together two well-established but distinct approaches – first, a continuum crystal plasticity and twinning approach to describe complex deformation in the various grains, and second, a discrete Monte-Carlo-Potts approach to describe grain boundary migration and nucleation. The model is implemented within a finite-strain Fast Fourier Transform-based framework that allows for efficient simulations of recrystallization at high spatial resolution, while the grid-based Fourier treatment lends itself naturally to the Monte-Carlo approach. The model is applied to pure magnesium as a representative hexagonal closed packed metal, but is sufficiently general to admit extension to other material systems. Results demonstrate the evolution of the grain architecture in representative volume elements and the associated stress–strain history during the severe simple shear deformation typical of equal channel angular extrusion. We confirm that the recrystallization kinetics converge with increasing grid resolution and that the resulting model captures the experimentally observed transition from single- to multi-peak stress–strain behavior as a function of temperature and rate.