Slip lines on pure copper deformed in tension and compression

Abstract

Slip line densities on the surface of copper single crystals, deformed progressively in tension, were measured using replicas in the electron microscope. The variation of slip step height and density with strain in Stage I are compared with the predictions of Hazzledine's work hardening theory. On single crystals deformed in tension and compression, tensile and compressive slip line densities were measured on a small area of surface, which was re-electropolished after tension, as well as on the adjacent unrepolished surface. The differences between the slip line densities in these two regions suggest that a partial reversal of tensile slip steps occurs during compression, but no total reversal is seen.