Elastic behaviour of orientation-correlated grains in multiphase aggregates

Diffraction elastic constants (DEC) describe the elastic response of a sub-set of orientation correlated grains which share a common lattice vector. DEC reflect the elastic behaviour of the single crystal constituents through their dependence on grain orientation. DEC furthermore depend on the behaviour of the polycrystal aggregate both through the dependence on preferred orientation and through the average elastic interaction of the grains in the sub-set with their surroundings. The latter is also known as grain-matrix interaction which is grain shape dependent. Both dependencies can make the DEC uniquely sensitive to the elastic effects of the grain shape, texture, and phase composition. Several micro-mechanical models are explored with respect for use both in calculating diffraction elastic constants and overall elastic constants. Furthermore, it is shown how discrete data from electron backscatter diffraction on grain shape, grain orientations, and neighbouring grains can be used for DEC calculations. Lastly, the inverse problem of calculating single crystal elastic constants from DEC is discussed in detail. All calculations discussed in this work can be verified using the freely available computer program IsoDEC.