A crystallographic model for the study of local deformation processes in polycrystals

Abstract

Abstract Most engineering materials possess a polycrystalline structure. Under load the anisotropy of the constituent grains leads to strong inhomogeneities of stresses and strains on the grain level. In order to investigate the local deformation processes, a new crystallographic model for pure fcc metals in the low temperature range has been developed. It is based on the framework of crystal plasticity and uses the finite element method (FEM). The rate dependent constitutive equations consider isotropic as well as kinematic hardening, whereby the mutual interactions of dislocation processes on the different slip systems are taken into account. Comprehensive calculations show that the essential features of both single crystals—which serve as a test object for the constitutive equations—and polycrystals are reproduced correctly. Moreover the simulations allow a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that control the local deformation behaviour of metals, especially of the mutual interactions of slip system activity, local hardening and resulting local strain. Furthermore, the model may serve as a physically motivated base for a later inclusion of damage terms which allow investigations of damage and fatigue on the local scale.