Study of static recrystallization behavior in hot deformed Ni-based superalloy using cellular automaton model

A cellular automaton model (CA) with probabilistic state switches is developed to simulate the microstructural evolution in a Ni-based superalloy during static recrystallization (SRX). The kinetics of SRX is formulated on a mesoscale level. SRX nuclei grow under the driving pressure resulting from the reduction of stored energy and grain boundary energy. It is found that SRX grain size can be well predicted by the developed CA model. Solute elements of the studied superalloy have a drag effects on grain boundary motion. But, this solute drag effect is not obvious at high deformation temperatures. Nucleation rate of the SRX grain increases with the increase of strain, strain rate, and deformation temperature. Besides, the inhomogeneity of grain size first increases, then decreases with the increase of SRX fraction. The changes of inhomogeneity mainly result from the evolutions of the primary and SRX grain sizes.