A Monte Carlo model of Zener pinning which shows f{sup {minus}1} dependence

A novel Monte Carlo (MC) model of Zener pinning has been developed. It differs from previous MC models in that it does not simulate polycrystalline grain growth. Instead a single boundary moving through an array of particles is simulated. The boundary curvature defines the driving force acting on the boundary; this is constant throughout the simulation. By incrementally increasing the volume fraction of particles, the pinning force is gradually increased. The boundary is eventually pinned when driving force equals the pinning force. This defines the Zener criterion and enables the volume fraction dependence of the model to be determined. The value of this approach is that there is no limit imposed on either the volume fraction of particles or their size. Simulations have been carried out over a range of volume fractions, from 0 < f < 0.25 for particles with volumes of 27 sites. The pinning force exerted by particles on a boundary is related to the characteristic shape during bypass, the so called dimple. When the simulation temperature is T{prime} = 0, dimples are not formed, the boundaries experience an artificially strong pinning force and the model exhibits an f{sup {minus}1/2} dependence. When T{prime} is greater than a critical value dimples are formed and the model shows an f{sup {minus}1} volume fraction dependence. The implications of this result for previously MC models of Zener pinning is discussed.