Tomohiro Takaki | Searcharxiv

arXiv2026

Numerical efficiency of explicit time integrators for phase-field models

Phase-field simulations are a practical but also expensive tool to calculate microstructural evolution. This work aims to compare explicit time integrators for a broad class of phase-field models involving coupling between the phase-field and concentration. Particular integrators are adapted to constraints on the phase-field as well as storage scheme implications. Reproducible benchmarks are defined with a focus on having exact sharp interface solutions, allowing for identification of dominant error terms. Speedups of 4 to 114 over the classic forward Euler integrator are achievable while still using a fully explicit scheme without appreciable accuracy loss. Application examples include final stage sintering with pores slowing down grain growth as they move and merge over time.

math.NA↗

arXiv2025

High heating rate effects in sintering: A phase-field study of La-doped alumina

Sintering is a widespread manufacturing process, accounting for a significant portion of global energy expenditure. However, controlling this process has been mostly a trial-and-error process, being costly in both time and money. The recent advance of high heating rate sintering methods, which promise higher energy efficiency and better properties, only adds to this. This paper aims to reduce these costs by shedding light on the microstructural evolution during high heating rate sintering, which will allow for quicker parameter optimization and improved properties. The focus will be on how a representative microstructure changes locally as well as globally while resolving grains and the green body at scale, which no prior paper has done. A representative multiphysics phase-field solver is employed, incorporating a novel particle-based temperature model, which recovered many characteristics typical of high heating rate sintering. Comparing the simulation data to experimental data showed reasonable agreement over a large density range without parameter adjustment. Furthermore, the advance of a sintering front including grain growth effects could be shown simulatively for the first time in literature. These findings suggest that the model can be used for the design of practical heating schedules for the sintering of novel materials.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗