On the accuracy of the predictions of texture evolution by the finite element technique for fcc polycrystals

Numerical averaging procedures utilizing the finite element technique have been suggested in literature as an improvement over the Taylor averaging scheme for modeling the constitutive behavior of polycrystal aggregates with a known distribution of lattice orientations and a known single crystal constitutive behavior. In this paper, the accuracy of the finite element averaging procedure is evaluated critically by comparing the orientation densities of the alpha and beta-fiber components in rolling textures of fee metals predicted by both the finite element and the Taylor averaging techniques with the corresponding measurements. It is observed that the finite element predictions are in better agreement with the experiment compared to the Taylor model predictions, especially for the beta-fiber texture components. In addition, the sensitivity of the results predicted by the finite element technique to the various geometric and material parameters in the model has been evaluated and discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.