Cold deformation microstructures

Abstract

The evolution of the cold deformation microstructure is described for medium to high stacking fault energy, single phase fcc metals. Macroscopic strain accommodation for polycrystalline metals is considered, and it is suggested that grains subdivide during deformation on a smaller and smaller scale, and that each volume element is characterised by an individual combination of slip systems. A number of microstructural observations (especially of aluminium, nickel, and copper) are described, and dislocation arrangements are discussed on the basis of the general principle that they are low energy dislocation structures. It is shown that the microstructural evolution is quite similar in polycrystalline metals and in single crystals deforming by multislip, and ways in which metallurgical parameters such as stacking fault energy and grain size can affect the microstructure are examined. The general principle of grain subdivision during cold deformation is discussed with reference to the microstructural observations.MST/1290