Quasi-static Tensile and Compressive Behavior of Nanocrystalline Tantalum Based on Miniature Specimen Testing—Part II: Mechanical Properties

Abstract

In Part I of this work (this issue), we presented the microstructure of tantalum processed by high-pressure torsion (HPT). In this part, we will present results based on site-specific micro-mechanical testing. The experimental techniques were used due to the intrinsic microstructure gradient associated with HPT processing. The primary objective is to explore the grain size effect on the quasi-static mechanical properties of HPT processed tantalum with ultrafine grained (UFG, grain size d 100 nm) and nanocrystalline (NC, d < 100 nm) microstructure. Two distinct deformation modes are observed, i.e. a homogeneous (non-shearing) region and a localized (shear banding) region. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and orientation imaging microscopy (OIM) show that the shear bands form by grain rotation. Comparing d in these two regions to the mechanism proposed in the literature shows that reduced d in the shear banding region is more susceptible to localized shearing via grain rotation. This work unifies, or at least further substantiates, the notion that body-centered cubic metals with UFG/NC microstructure tend to have localized shear band even under quasi-static uniaxial compression.