The Kinetics of Individual Grains in Polycrystalline Materials

Based on a mean-field approach a 3D grain growth model is presented which predicts the growth history of individual grains of a grain ensemble in terms of linear grain size and time. The analytical results are compared with the results of numerical simulations using the Monte-Carlo-Potts model. In addition, based on a stochastic model of grain growth, the diffusivity of the very discontinuous movements of individual quadruple and triple junctions is set in relation to the rate of growth. This allows the calculation of the average growth law of an ensemble of grains solely from the measurement of the stochastic growth kinetics of individual grains. The results from simulation and theory are compared with experimental results of in-situ scanning electron microscopy observations of grain growth in polycrystalline metals.