Deformation twinning in polycrystalline Zr: Insights from electron backscattered diffraction characterization

The response of polycrystalline α-zirconium to various deformation conditions was investigated through electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) characterization. The range of deformation conditions included quasi-static compression and tension at room and cryogenic temperatures, along with a Taylor cylinder impact experiment. The resultant data provided spatial resolution of individual with system activity as a function of the progression of deformation. Over 300 deformation twins were analyzed to identify the type of twin system and active variant, along with the Schmid factor in the parent orientation. These data supplied information on the distribution of Schmid factor and variant rank as a function of twin system and deformation condition. Results showed significant deviation from a maximum Schmid factor activation criterion and suggest deformation twinning is greatly affected by local internal stress heterogeneities and the sense of the applied stress. This article is based on a presentation made in the symposium entitled “Defect Properties and Mechanical Behavior of HCP Metals and Alloys” at the TMS Annual Meeting, February 11–15, 2001, in New Orleans, Louisiana, under the auspices of the following ASM committees: Materials Science Critical Technology Sector, Structural Materials Division, Electronic, Magnetic & Photonic Materials Division, Chemistry & Physics of Materials Committee, Joint Nuclear Materials Committee, and Titanium Committee.