Multifractal Characteristics of Gain Structures: A Universal Law of Polycrystalline Strain-Hardening Behaviors

Abstract

The quantitative relationship between material microstructures, such as grain distributions, and the nonlinear strain-hardening behaviors of polycrystalline metals has not yet been completely understood. This study finds that the grain correlation dimension of polycrystals D is universally equal to the reciprocal of the strain-hardening exponent by experimental research and fractal geometry analysis. From a geometric perspective, the correlation dimension of grains is consistent with that of the equivalent plastic strain field, which represents the correlation dimension of the material manifold. According to the definition of the Hausdorff measure and Ludwik constitutive model, the strain-hardening exponent represents the exponent derived from the Dth root of the measure relationship. This universal law indicates that the strain-hardening behaviors are fractal geometrized and that the strain-hardening exponent represents a geometrical parameter reflecting the multifractal characteristics of grain structures. This conclusion can enhance the comprehension of the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties of materials and highlights the importance of designing materials with non-uniform grain distributions to achieve desired hardening properties.