New phase-field model for polycrystalline systems with anisotropic grain boundary properties

In this paper, a new methodology is presented to inlude anisotropic grain boundary properties in a phase-field model. The new approach is thermodynamically consistent and gives accurate control of the inclination and misorientation of grain boundary properties. It is verified that accurate triple junction angles are obtained without ad hoc correction terms and under all conditions, including triple junction angles reaching the extreme values 0° and 180°. Grain boundary wetting is also reproduced. The new model allows us to consider polycrystalline microstructures with very complex grain boundary properties. Simulations show that grain boundary anisotropy may lead to a huge range of effects on the grain structure.