Bayesian inverse inference of material properties from microstructure images

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce a Bayesian framework designed for inverse inference, aiming to predict material properties/process parameters from microstructure images. The integration of Bayesian inference techniques with deep generative models establishes a robust tool for applications in materials science, particularly in material characterization and property control. This integration provides a novel approach to clarifying the reliability of predictions. The application of this framework to a sample problem involving the prediction of material properties from artificial dual-phase steel microstructures demonstrates its capability to estimate these properties while accounting for prediction uncertainties. Moreover, even in comparison to conventional regression methods in terms of point estimation, the proposed framework exhibits superior accuracy in prediction. These results clearly illustrate that the framework presented in this paper constitutes a powerful tool for achieving efficient material design.