Full field modeling of dynamic recrystallization in a CPFEM context – Application to 304L steel

Abstract In this work the recently proposed full field approach to model dynamic recrystallization [1] is applied to model 304L steel. The framework couples a CPFEM (crystal plasticity finite element method) model with a LS-FE (level-set finite element method) for grain boundary migration and phenomenological laws. 304L steel samples are subjected to thermomechanical tests and their flow behaviour is characterized, additionally Electron Back Scattered Diffraction (EBSD) is used to study microstructure evolutions. Part of the experimental data is used to calibrate the model parameters and describe their evolution as a function of the thermomechanical conditions. The calibrated model is used to predict the microstructural evolution of 304L steel, the results are compared with the remaining experimental measurements. The comparison shows that the model correctly predicts the flow behaviour and recrystallization fraction evolution. However the results also show that the use of classical phenomenological models limit the model capability to predict grain size evolution. Different approaches to improve the model grain size prediction are presented and compared, the results show significant improvements when compared with experimental data.