The microstructural origin of work hardening stages

D. A. Hughes*, N. Hansen

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    The strain evolution of the flow stress and work hardening rate in stages III and IV is explored by utilizing a fully described deformation microstructure. Extensive measurements by transmission electron microscopy reveal a hierarchical subdivision of grains by low angle incidental dislocation boundaries (IDBs) and medium to high angle geometrically necessary boundaries (GNBs). This universal evolution is demonstrated for nickel, copper, and aluminum deformed by cold rolling from strains of 0.05-5.5. Microstructural morphology evolves with increasing strain through a transition resulting in a lamellar cell-block structure aligned with the deformation. This transition is caused by the emergence of new slip systems and a stable texture. Four parameters describe the microstructure, the misorientation angle across each boundary type and their respective spacing. Universal scaling characterizes the normalized distributions of three separate parameters. A new scaling law connects the strain evolution of two strength parameters: the dislocation density of IDBs and the spacing between GNBs. Strengthening mechanisms and strength contributions for those two parameters are expressed respectively as a linear addition of the classical Taylor and Hall-Petch formulations. Model predictions agree closely with experimental values of flow stress and work hardening rate in stages III and IV. Strong connections between the evolutionary stages of the deformation microstructure and work hardening rates create a new (modern) basis for the classic problem of work hardening in metals and alloys. These connections lead the way for the future development of ultra high strength ductile metals produced via plastic deformation.(c) 2018 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalActa Materialia
    Volume148
    Pages (from-to)374-383
    Number of pages10
    ISSN1359-6454
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2018

    Keywords

    • Work hardening
    • Dislocations
    • Deformation microstructure
    • Mechanical properties
    • Transmission electron microscopy

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