Workflow for integrating mesoscale heterogeneities in materials structure with process simulation of titanium alloys

Abstract

In this paper, a generalized workflow is outlined for the necessary integration of multimodal measurements and multiphysics models at multiple hierarchical length scales demanded by an Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) approach to accelerated materials development. Recognizing that multiple choices or techniques are typically available in each of the main steps, several exemplary analyses are detailed utilizing mainly the alpha/beta titanium alloys as an illustrative case. It is anticipated that the use and further refinement of these workflows will promote transparency and engender intimate collaborations between materials experts and manufacturing/design specialists by providing an understanding of the various mesoscale heterogeneities that develop naturally in the workpiece as a direct consequence of the inherent heterogeneity imposed by the manufacturing history (i.e., different thermomechanical histories at different locations in the sample). More specifically, this article focuses on three main areas: (i) data science protocols for efficient analysis of large microstructure datasets (e.g., cluster analysis), (ii) protocols for extracting reduced descriptions of salient microstructure features for insertion into simulations (e.g., regions of homogeneity), and (iii) protocols for direct and efficient linking of materials models/databases into process/performance simulation codes (e.g., crystal plasticity finite element method).