On the effect of deformation twinning on defect densities

The defect density of materials undergoing severe deformation twinning may be extremely low. This was in particular observed in nitrogen bearing austenitic steel deformed at low temperature. The present work discusses the effects of glide-twinning and twinning-twinning interactions with respect to defect densities. It turns out that under continuous deformation the glide-twinning interaction decreases the twin density but the twin density stays constant owing to the effect of twinning-twinning interaction. The density of mobile dislocations decreases in most situations while sessile and blocked dislocations are introduced. As the main result, untwinning and dislocation annihilation eliminate a high fraction of defects. Therefore, the residual defect density is much smaller if deformation twinning is active than it is after pure glide deformation.     

Grain size effect on deformation twinning and detwinning

This article systematically overviews the grain size effect on deformation twinning and detwinning in face-centered cubic (fcc) metals. With decreasing grain size, coarse-grained fcc metals become more difficult to deform by twinning, whereas nanocrystalline (nc) fcc metals first become easier to deform by twinning and then become more difficult, exhibiting an optimum grain size for twinning. The transition in twinning behavior from coarse-grained to nc fcc metals is caused by the change in deformation mechanisms. An analytical model based on observed deformation physics in nc metals, i.e., grain boundary emission of dislocations, provides an explanation of the observed optimum grain size for twinning in nc fcc metals. The detwinning process is caused by the interaction between dislocations and twin boundaries. Under a certain deformation condition, there exists a grain size range where the twinning process dominates over the detwinning process to produce the highest density of twins.     

Deformation twinning in nanocrystalline materials

Nanocrystalline (nc) materials can be defined as solids with grain sizes in the range of 1-100 nm. Contrary to coarse-grained metals, which become more difficult to twin with decreasing grain size, nanocrystalline face-centered-cubic (fcc) metals become easier to twin with decreasing grain size, reaching a maximum twinning probability, and then become more difficult to twin when the grain size decreases further, i.e. exhibiting an inverse grain-size effect on twinning. Molecular dynamics simulations and experimental observations have revealed that the mechanisms of deformation twinning in nanocrystalline metals are different from those in their coarse-grained counterparts. Consequently, there are several types of deformation twins that are observed in nanocrystalline materials, but not in coarse-grained metals. It has also been reported that deformation twinning can be utilized to enhance the strength and ductility of nanocrystalline materials. This paper reviews all aspects of deformation twinning in nanocrystalline metals, including deformation twins observed by molecular dynamics simulations and experiments, twinning mechanisms, factors affecting the twinning, analytical models on the nucleation and growth of deformation twins, interactions between twins and dislocations, and the effects of twins on mechanical and other properties. It is the authors’ intention for this review paper to serve not only as a valuable reference for researchers in the field of nanocrystalline metals and alloys, but also as a textbook for the education of graduate students.     

Electron Microscope Studies on the Forn1ation of Silver Filaments from Silver Iodide Crystals

The growth of filamentary silver from microcrystals of silver iodide has been examined in the electron microscope. It was found that filamentary growth was restricted to certain types of crystals namely those containing twin planes. After growth the filaments exhibited contrast bands which appeared to be connected with prismatic slip. A mechanism is put forward, based on twinning dislocations, to explain the mode of generation of filaments.     

The assisting and stabilizing role played by ω phase during the {112} <111>β twinning in Ti-Mo alloys:A first-principles insight

The ω phase is commonly observed in β-Ti alloys and plays a significant role on various properties of β-Ti alloys.Although many results about the role ofω phase on mechanical properties of β-Ti alloys have been derived from theoretical and experimental studies,the role ofω phase on deformation mechanism hitherto remains elusive and deserves to be further studied.In this work,the role played by ω phase during the {112 } <111>β twinning in Ti-Mo alloys were investigated by first-principles calculations at atomic scale.In the energy favorable interface of(112)β/(10(1)0)ω,we found that partial dislocations slipping on the successive (10(1)0)ω planes ofω phase can lead to the formation of { 112} <111>β twin nucleus.And the twin nucleus grows inwards ω grain interior through atomic shuffle.Thus,a new twinning mechanism of {112 } <111>β assisted by ω phase was proposed.Furthermore,our calculations indicated that the Pearance of ITB (interfacial twin boundary) ω phase can improve the stability of the symmetrical 12 } <111 >β twin boundary (TB),which can well explain the experimental phenomenon that the ITB ω phase always accompanies the formation of {112 } <111>β twin.Finally,a probable microstructure evolution sequence was suggested,namely β matrix → β matrix + athermal ω phase → (112)[11(1)]twin → (112)[11(1)]β twin + ITB ω phase.Our calculations provide new insights on the role played by ω phase during the twinning process of {112} <111>β,which can deepen the understanding on the deformation behaviors of β-Ti alloys.     

A correlation between the microhardness and the mobility of twinning dislocations in bismuth crystals exposed to constant magnetic field and pulsed electric field

It is established that bismuth crystals under the simultaneous action of a constant magnetic field and current pulses exhibit a correlation between the microhardness and the mobility of twinning dislocations. It is shown that application of the external fields favors translation of the twinning dislocations along the twin-matrix boundaries.     

Twinning of bismuth single crystals bombarded by boron ions

Twinning of ion-bombarded single crystals has been investigated for the first time. It has been established that bombardment of bismuth single crystals with boron ions stimulates mobility of twinning dislocations and quenches their sources. This result is explained using the dislocation model of a wedge-shaped twin. Pis’ma Zh. Tekh. Fiz. 24, 1–9 (April 26, 1998)     

Tensile behaviour of duplex stainless steel at low temperatures

Abstract

The tensile behaviour of the ferrite and austenite phases of Fe–22Cr–5Ni (wt-%) duplex stainless steel containing a maximum of 17·2% austenite was investigated in the temperature range 65–298 K. The results indicate that mechanical twinning occurred in the testing temperature range, and that austenite impeded the growth of twinning. Mechanical twinning in ferrite was well decorated with a ‘dislocation shell’, and the density of dislocations at the coherent twin boundary and within a twin was much higher than in the matrix above the ductile–brittle transition temperature (DBTT). This supported the occurrence of slip localisation next to coherent twin boundaries. Dislocations in the material with no austenite tested below the DBTT were characterised by coplanar slip dislocation on the { 110} plane, and both coplanar slip on { 110} and cross-slip dislocations were observed above the DBTT. Dislocation in ferrite was negligibly affected by the presence of austenitic particles. Strain induced martensite transformation occurred in austenitic particles at or below 220 K, and the characteristics of the transformation were essentially similar to those in type 304 stainless steel. The DBTT of the material was lowered from ～140 to 110 K in the presence of austenite, independent of the volume fraction of austenite. This suggests that the decrease in the DBTT of the material was mainly due to austenite scavenging carbon and other interstitial elements from the ferritic matrix. The fracture of the material at low temperatures was primarily controlled by the fracture of twin boundaries in ferrite.     

Tensile ductility and deformation mechanisms of a nanotwinned 316L austenitic stainless steel

A nanotwinned 316 L austenitic stainless steel was prepared by means of surface mechanical grinding treatment.After recovery annealing,the density of dislocations decreases obviously while the average twin/matrix lamella thickness still keeps in the nanometer scale.The annealed nanotwinned sample exhibits a high tensile yield strength of 771 MPa and a considerate uniform elongation of 8%.TEM observations showed that accommodating more dislocations and secondary twinning inside the nanotwins contribute to the enhanced ductility and work hardening rate of the annealed nanotwinned sample.     

Nanocrystallization of zirconium subjected to surface mechanical attrition treatment

A nanostructured surface layer with thickness of about 20?μm was formed on commercially pure zirconium using surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT). The microstructural features of the surface layer were systematically investigated using optical microscopy (OM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), respectively. Based on the results obtained, a grain refinement mechanism induced by plastic deformation during SMAT of Zr is proposed. At?the initial stage of SMAT, twinning dominates the plastic deformation of Zr and divides the coarse grains of Zr into finer twin plates. With increasing strain, intersection of twins occurs, and dislocation slips are activated, becoming the predominant deformation mode instead of twinning. As a result of the dislocation slips, high-density dislocation arrays are formed, which further subdivide the twin plates into subgrains of size about 200-400?nm. With a further increase of strain, the dislocations accumulate and rearrange to minimize the energy state of the high-strain-energy subgrains, the dense dislocation walls convert to grain boundaries, and the submicronic grains are subdivided, leading to the formation of nanosized grains at the top of the treated surface.     

Room temperature strengthening mechanisms in a Co-Cr-Mo-C alloy

The various contributions to the flow stress at room temperature of a cast Co-Cr-Mo-C alloy were identified using transmission electron microscopy. These alloys are used as surgical implant materials. It was concluded that stacking fault intersections and twins make the largest contribution to the work hardening behaviour of the as-cast Co-Cr-Mo-C alloy. The stacking fault intersection was modelled as a form of dislocation dipole, from which the stress interaction with slip dislocations was estimated. In the case of twin-slip interactions, it is suggested that the incorporation of the slip dislocation into the twin is governed by the reaction 1/2[110](_¯11¯1)1/6[141](_¯1¯15)+1/6[2¯1¯1]_{coherent Twin Boundary (111)} A nucleation model for twinning in alloys with very low stacking fault energy is also proposed.     

Self-similar evolution of a twin boundary in anti-plane shear

This paper studies the transient motion of a twin boundary in two dimensions. The twinning deformation is described as an anti-plane shear deformation with discontinuous strains. The material is assumed to be compressible and hyperelastic with a stored energy function consisting of multiple potential wells. The quasi-steady-state evolution of a twinning step is studied. The model includes an anisotropic kinetic relation that governs the twin boundary motion in two dimensions under applied stress. A self-similar solution for the motion of the twinning step is found with a specific initial shape. General solutions to the linearized evolution equation are established in the form of an infinite series for arbitrary initial shapes. Stability of the self-similar solution is discussed.     

Parametric study of stress state development during twinning using 3D finite element modeling

A deformation twinning model which simulates the characteristic twin shear and corresponding grain reorientation has been developed using a 3D finite element method. This model has been used to study how twinning affects the stress state in both the parent grain and twin, and the stress states that are energetically favorable for twinning. The component of shear stress on the twin plane and direction is primarily responsible not only for whether twinning can occur, but also the energetically favorable twin volume fraction. A map predicting twin volume fraction as a function of parent grain deviatoric stress has been developed.     

Calculation of the stress fields in a polysynthetic twin located near the crystal surface

Without using the thin twin approximation, assuming a continuous distribution of dislocations on the boundaries, a procedure to calculate the stress fields in a polysynthetic twin located near the crystal surface has been developed. It is shown that the stresses in the polysynthetic twin are localized at the boundaries and apices of the twins that enter into the composition of the former twin. Examples of calculations of the cleavage stresses of the polysynthetic twin having rectilinear and curvilinear boundaries with uniform and nonuniform distribution of dislocations at them are given. Translated from Inzhenerno-Fizicheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 82, No. 1, pp. 184–190, January–February, 2009.     

Compressive strength and microplasticity in polycrystalline alumina

The compressive strength of polycrystalline alumina at 23° C is found to be strain-rate sensitive, but insensitive to environment. Scanning electron microscopy of specimens loaded to near failure indicates the origin of the strength-strain-rate dependence to be localized plasticity in the form of twinning and, possibly, slip. The interaction of these deformation bands with grain boundaries causes the initiation of microcracks. Higher stresses produce still more twin/slip-nucleated microcracks, which finally coalesce at failure. It is suggested that twinning also may be related to the tensile failure of alumina.     

Atomic-resolution studies on reactions between basal dislocations and { 10(1)2 } coherent twin boundaries in a Mg alloy

Reactions between basal 〈a60〉 dislocations and {1012} coherent twin boundaries(CTBs) in a Mg alloy were studied with atomic resolution. Individual dislocation-CTB reactions produced steps with residual dislocations and multiple t winnin g dislocations(TDs) gliding away, consequently resulting in TB migration. Reactions between {1012} CTBs and low-angle grain boundaries composed of basal 〈a60〉 dislocations created either basal-prismatic/prismatic-basal interfaces or asymmetric tilt grain boundaries, depending on whether TDs gliding away or not. Not only the emission of TDs by dislocation-TB reactions may drive TB migration, but also the resultant steps or facets along TBs can act as TD sources to facilitate TB migration. Our results indicate that roughness or severe loss of local coherency induced by dislocation-TB reactions does not intrinsically impede TB migration in Mg alloys. Dislocation-TB reactions may provide another feasible strategy to improve the ductility of Mg alloys, in addition to other techniques like grain refinement and texture modification.     

Deformation twinning in zircaloy 2

Abstract

Fully recrystallised zircaloy 2 samples were subjected to different degrees of uniaxial compression. Grains of high Taylor factors showed {1012}〈1011〉 deformation twins, noticeable up to 13–16% compression. Twinning strongly affected the crystallographic texture and also brought in clear differences in stored energy and residual stress between the suspected parent and product grains/orientations of twinning. At later stages of deformation, where presence of twinning was insignificant, aforementioned heterogeneity was further supplemented by heterogeneity in microstructure – clear presence of fragmenting and non-fragmenting grains. Direct observations on twin fraction, twin deviation and twin continuity had shown an apparent peak in twinning by ～7·5% compression, an observation explainable through a simple model of twin decay by in grain misorientation development.     

Pulse electroplating of copper film: a study of process and microstructure

Copper films with high density of twin boundaries are known for high mechanical strength with little tradeoff in electrical conductivity. To achieve such a high density, twin lamellae and spacing will be on the nanoscale. In the current study, 10 microm copper films were prepared by pulse electrodeposition with different applied pulse peak current densities and pulse on-times. It was found that the deposits microstructure was dependent on the parameters of pulse plating. Higher energy pulses caused stronger self-annealing effect on grain recrystallization and growth, thus leading to enhanced fiber textures, while lower energy pulses gave rise to more random microstructure in the deposits and rougher surface topography. However in the extremes of pulse currents we applied, the twin densities were not as high as those resulted from the medium or relatively high pulse currents. The highest amount of nanoscale twinning was found to form from a proper degree of self-annealing induced grain structure evolution. The driving force behind the self-annealing is discussed.     

Twins formation and their role in nanostructuring of zirconium

Twins formation and their role in nanostructuring of zirconium by surface mechanical attrition treatment were investigated. Twins nucleate via successive emission of partial dislocations from grain boundaries or overlapping of stacking faults and partial dislocations in grain interiors. As strain increases, twin nuclei grow up by adding more partial dislocations pairs into either side of the twin boundaries. The interaction between the formed twins and dislocations refines coarse grains into smaller ones, resulting in nanocrystallization of zirconium.     

Tensile deformation behavior of high manganese austenitic steel: The role of grain size

The tensile deformation behavior and microstructural evolutions of twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) steel with the chemical composition of Fe–31Mn–3Al–3Si and average grain sizes in the range of 2.1–72.6 μm have been analyzed. For each grain size, the Hollomon analysis and also the Crussard–Jaoul (C–J) analysis as an alternative method to describe the work hardening behavior were investigated. The results indicated that the optimum mechanical properties as a function of work hardening capacity can be obtained by changing the grain size. The microstructural observations showed that the pile-ups of planar dislocations are necessary for triggering the mechanical twinning and grain refinement suppresses the mechanical twinning in TWIP steel. Furthermore, the mechanical twinning increases with increasing applied strain. As a result, a high instantaneous work hardening due to the mechanical twin boundaries enhances the uniform elongation. The contribution from the strain of twinning and hardening due to an increase in the hardness of the twinned regions (i.e., the Basinski mechanism) may be also useful in achieving the high strength–ductility in TWIP steels.