Abstract
A new tool, macrotexture map, was developed to represent and visualize texture heterogeneity in polycrystalline aggregate. This is a critical tool for microstructure representation, useful in risk analysis, performance simulation, and hotspot identification. In contrast to the orientation imaging microscope (OIM) map where each color represents a crystal orientation, each color in this macrotexture map represents a texture. Different colors represent different textures, and similar textures shall have similar colors. The macrotexture map provides a unique function to quantitatively evaluate texture heterogeneity of large components, leading to a first-hand understanding of property heterogeneity and anisotropy. For an experienced user, these maps serve the same purpose in identifying high-risk locations in the investigated component as medical imaging maps do for diagnosis purpose. This method will also serve as a starting point in mesoscale simulation with meshing sensitivity based on the texture heterogeneity. It will provide a bridge between texture characterization and behavior simulation of components with texture heterogeneity. The macrotexture map will offer a linkage between crystal plasticity simulation in small length scale and finite element/difference simulation in large length scale.
