Minimum plastic work selects the highest symmetry deformation in axially-loaded F.C.C. crystals

Abstract

The assertion of the title is proved, according to each of three hardening theories, for both tensile and compressive loading of f.c.c. crystals in multiple-slip orientations (in particular, for all 2- and 6-fold symmetry positions). The theories are classical Taylor hardening, the writer's ‘simple theory’ of rotation-dependent, anisotropic latent hardening, and a 2-parameter hardening rule introduced in the metallurgical literature. Theoretical latent hardening predictions for tensile loading in 6-fold symmetry are considered in relation to experiment.