Phase field modeling and simulation of the evolution of twelve crystallographic martensite variants in austenitic parent grains

Important criteria for the design of dynamically loaded components are strongly influenced by the microstructural properties. Motivated by this, models were developed which can predict the lifetime of components based on the microstructure. With regard to steel materials, the martensitic microstructure is of great importance. The subject of current research is therefore to work on simulation models that can predict the morphology of the microstructure depending on the process parameters during production. In this context a phase‐field model, which considers twelve crystallographic martensite variants corresponding to the Nishiyama‐Wassermann orientation relationship, is presented. The order parameters are used to interpolate between the initial (austenite) and final (martensite) state. With this model, the evolution of a thermal induced martensitic microstructure is simulated. In order to define the displasive characteristics of the martensite variants, the well‐known phenomenological theory of martensite crystallography is deployed. Simulations using the finite element method in the small strain context show the applicability of the model. A qualitative comparison of the simulated microstructures with experimental data is carried out.