Prediction of the grain size evolution during thermal treatments at the mesoscopic scale: a numerical framework and industrial examples

Recently, an original full field model working at the mesoscopic scale using the level set (LS) method in a finite element (FE) framework has been introduced. This approach has demonstrated its potential for the simulation of grain growth and recrystallization problems. Through the development of the DIGIMU® software, this methodology is now considered for industrial applications. The paper presents (i) the recent developments made on the LS approach and (ii) some examples of large scale simulations in two and three dimensions considering thermal treatments applied on materials. Grain boundaries motion considering the presence or not of second phase particles (like precipitates) are investigated.