Three-dimensional simulation of grain structure and texture using the phase-field model of polycrystalline solidification

Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.commatsci.2026.114895

The phase-field model of polycrystalline solidification has been extended to simulate grain structure and texture in three dimensions (3D) under the influence of a moving heat source. As a consequence of transitioning to 3D simulations, the orientation parameter was essentially modified relative to the earlier two-dimensional formulation. Compared to the experimentally observed grain structure of 316L stainless steel additive manufacturing single tracks, the model reproduces qualitatively the same inclined columnar grains, epitaxy at the fusion boundary, competitive grain growth, and horizontal top grains. The availability of orientation data enables simulation of pole figures based on the cubic symmetry, exhibiting multicomponent texture analogous to the experimental results.