arXiv subjects

Jianfeng Hu

Publications and source records attributed to Jianfeng Hu.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

On the origin of non-Arrhenius behavior of grain growth

Non-Arrhenius grain growth has been observed in a range of polycrystalline materials; however, its fundamental mechanisms, particularly whether the process is thermally activated or exhibits anti-thermally activation, remain controversial. In this study, SrTiO3 was employed as a model system to systematically investigate non-Arrhenius grain growth behavior through combined experimental and theoretical approaches, utilizing a newly developed grain growth model. The results reveal that non-Arrhenius grain growth is a thermally activated process without a definitive characteristic temperature, which is primarily controlled by the interplay between temperature-dependent factors and the temperature-independent parameters such as grain size and its distribution. Moreover, during abnormal grain growth (AGG), the non-Arrhenius behavior of grain growth primarily occurs at lower temperatures and gradually transitions to Arrhenius-type behavior as the temperature increases.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2026

Landscape of grain boundary migration in polycrystals

Grain boundary (GB) migration is a pivotal process that significantly impacts the development of microstructures, thereby influencing the practical performance of polycrystalline materials. Recent advances in 3D experimental techniques have revealed conflicts between observed GB migration behaviors and classical theoretical models. These contradictions raise two fundamental questions, namely, whether GB migration is linearly related to curvature, and how GB energy affect GB migration? Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of GB migration dynamics in polycrystals and resolve these conflicts within a theoretical framework. Unexpectedly, in a polycrystalline system, the range of GB migration velocities shows little correlation with the magnitude of its curvature. The extent of the influence of GB energy on GB migration is revealed to mostly depend on GB step energy. Finally, a more general GB migration formula is derived to incorporate various driving forces beyond curvature.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2018

A unified theory of grain growth in polycrystalline materials

Grain growth is a ubiquitous and fundamental phenomenon observed in the cellular structures with the grain assembly separated by a network of grain boundaries, including metals and ceramics. However, the underlying mechanism of grain growth has remained ambiguous for more than 60 years. The models for grain growth, based on the classically linear relationship between the grain boundary migration and capillary driving force, generally predict normal grain growth. Quantitative model for abnormal grain growth is lacking despite decades of efforts. Here, we present a unified model to reveal quantitatively how grain growth evolves, which predicts the normal, abnormal and stagnant behaviors of grain growth in polycrystalline materials. Our model indicates that the relationship between grain boundary migration and capillary driving force is generally nonlinear, but will switch to be the classically linear relationship in a specific case. Furthermore, the grain growth experiments observed in polycrystalline SrTiO3 demonstrates the validity of the unified model. Our study provides a unified, quantitative model to understand and predict grain growth in polycrystalline materials, and thus offers helpful guides for the microstructural design to optimize the properties of polycrystalline materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2017

A nonlinear capillarity-driven grain growth in polycrystalline materials

A formula of grain growth rate, based on a nonlinear capillarity-driven relation, is derived to predict and interpret realistic growth processes in polycrystalline systems. The derived formula reveals how the growth and stagnation of grains dominated by the correlated parameters (temperature, interfacial energy, step free energy, grain size and size distribution in polycrystalline system etc.). Our study provide a conclusive model of the growth and stagnation of grains, and thus offers helpful guides for the microstructural design to optimize the properties of polycrystalline materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗