Differential Strain Rate Research Articles

Effect of friction stir processing on grain refinement and superplastic properties of binary Al-8 wt.% Si to Al-30 wt.% Si alloys

ABSTRACT As-cast binary Al–Si alloys containing ∼8, 12, 20, and 30 wt.% Si, representing the hypoeutectic, eutectic (12 wt.% Si), and hypereutectic compositions, were subjected to severe plastic deformation by friction stir processing (FSP) for grain refinement to 2.3–2.7 μm by dynamic recrystallization. Tensile tests conducted by differential strain rate test technique over the strain rates of 10−4 – 10−2 s−1 and test temperatures in the range of ∼840–530 K led to strain rate sensitivity index (m) varying from ∼0.04 to 0.40 depending on temperature, strain rate, and alloy composition. The constant initial strain rate tests conducted at 10−4 s−1 and 840 K exhibited a maximum elongation of 250% in the hypereutectic Al–20Si alloy, but the same increased linearly with m irrespective of alloy composition. Generally, with increasing Si content, the activation energy for deformation increased from 104.7 ± 14.4 kJ/mol for eutectic Al–12Si to 310.4 ± 32.3 kJ/mol for hypereutectic Al–30Si, which increased further to 572 ± 148 kJ/mol over the higher temperature range of 840–800 K. Analysis of observed deformation and microstructure behaviour supports the occurrence of superplasticity, whereby the accommodation of grain boundary sliding by grain boundary migration led to enhanced grain growth or else the local high-stress concentration at the particle-matrix interface led to cavity formation. There was no evidence of dynamic recrystallization during high-temperature tensile deformation but the flow softening observed is ascribed to the occurrence of concurrent cavitation.

Experimental constitutive relationships for high-temperature deformation of as-cast Al–Si binary alloys

ABSTRACT As-cast binary Al–Si alloys containing ∼2 to 30 wt.% Si were deformed by differential strain rate and differential temperature test techniques at 600–840 K and strain rates 10−4–10−2 s−1 to find the parameters of the constitutive relationships for high-temperature deformation. The maximum strain rate sensitivity index (m) of flow stress was found to be 0.28 in the eutectic Al-12Si alloy. The Arrhenius plot for activation energy for deformation (Q) exhibits bilinear behaviour, with Q being greater at higher test temperatures than at lower temperatures. The magnitude of Q varies as a function of Si content: 95.7 ± 9.8 kJ/mol for Al-2Si to 311.4 ± 98.1 kJ/mol for Al-12Si alloy. Also, the constant initial strain rate tests performed at selected strain rates and temperatures revealed flow hardening at small strains followed by flow softening. Deformation of Al–Si alloys is suggested to be controlled by the dislocation climb mechanism through the participation of both the grain interior and grain boundaries by consideration of effective stress instead of applied stress.

Mechanical data corrections for triaxial compression testing at high pressures and high temperatures with a Paterson gas-medium mechanical testing apparatus

Although restricted by a limited range of strain, the triaxial compression test is a mature and common technique for investigating the rheological properties of rock materials at high pressures and high temperatures, especially when establishing the constitutive equations for various flow laws. The Paterson gas-medium high-pressure and high-temperature mechanical testing apparatus (Paterson apparatus) is the best apparatus for triaxial compression testing due to its high stress resolution. However, to derive accurate mechanical information from the raw data recorded by the Paterson apparatus, some technical issues should be addressed, including the simultaneous distortion of the apparatus, the load force supported by the jacketing tube, and the change in the cross-sectional area of the specimen. In this paper, we introduce correction methods corresponding to these three technical issues for triaxial compression on a Paterson apparatus equipped with an internal load cell to significantly reduce experimental errors so that high-precision mechanical data for establishing the constitutive equations of flow laws, such as differential stress, strain, and strain rate, can be obtained. To facilitate corrections for the distortion of the apparatus and the load force supported by the jacketing tube, we determine the distortion of the Paterson apparatus as a function of axial load force by deforming tungsten steel specimens with a known Young’s modulus and the high-temperature flow laws of two common jacketing materials, iron and copper, by triaxial compression experiments at confining pressures of 200–300 MPa. Previous flow laws of iron and copper established by Frost and Ashby (1982) using ambient mechanical data are carefully compared with the flow laws obtained in this study to evaluate their effectiveness for correcting jacket tube strength. Finally, the errors eliminated by each correction step are analyzed and discussed to better understand the necessity of mechanical data corrections.

A TEM Study on a Polycrystalline Olivine Sample Deformed in a D-DIA under Mantle Conditions

We carried out an electron microscopy study on a polycrystalline olivine sample that was deformed with multiple deformation cycles under controlled differential stresses and strain rates at high pressures and high temperatures. Low-angle backscattered electron images thereof showed randomly oriented grains. Most of the grains were about 10–20 μm wide. The grains were irregular with wavy grain boundaries, indicating high grain boundary mobility during deformation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images showed complex dislocation microstructure characteristics of high temperature, high pressure, and high strain. Free dislocations were predominantly either short and straight screw dislocations or curved dislocations with mixed screw and edge characters. Many of them split into partial dislocations. The differential stress estimated with the free dislocations was ~780 MPa, which was close to the value of differential stress attained in the final deformation cycle. We also observed dense dislocation tangles, which formed dislocation cell substructures under high strain. The existence of dislocation loops and jogs indicated significant climbing activity, providing evidence for high-temperature creep as the dominant deformation mechanism. All of the dislocations observed in this study were exclusively with a [001] Burgers vector. Dislocations with a [100] Burgers vector were absent, suggesting that the activity of the a-slip (i.e., (010)[100] and (001)[100] slip systems) was completely suppressed. These observations support a conclusion that was reported based on an X-ray texture analysis, which considered that a high pressure promotes the activities of the c-slip (i.e., (010)[001] and (100)[001] slip systems). It appears that the transition from the a-slip to the c-slip was complete with multiple deformation cycles at a relatively lower pressure of 5.1 GPa than previously thought, corresponding to a depth of 165 km in the mantle.

Microstructural and textural modification of columnar calcite under increasing shear strain (Evia Island, Greece)

We studied the microstructural and textural modification of columnar calcite naturally deformed at increasing shear strain. The studied marbles were sampled from different structural levels of the Basal Unit of the Cycladic Massif on Evia Island, Greece. The marbles have experienced high pressure metamorphism at peak temperatures around 350 °C. The long axes of the columnar calcite grains and their c-axes were originally oriented normal to the foliation and were subsequently rotated during exhumation. The obliquity of the long axes of relict calcite grains with respect to the foliation was used to infer shear strain. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis was used to characterize the marble microstructure as well as the crystallographic preferred orientations (CPO) and misorientations in calcite. Recrystallization of calcite was active from very low shear strains (0.1) and mylonitization (∼60% area fraction of recrystallized grains) took place at shear strains >∼4. Subgrain rotation was the dominant recrystallization mechanism in calcite in all samples. Differential stress and strain rate did not show any systematic variation with increasing shear strain. A shear strain of up to ∼4 was not enough to produce a strong CPO in calcite.

The rheology and deformation of the South Tibetan Detachment System as exposed at Zherger La, east-central Himalaya: Implications for exhumation of the Himalayan metamorphic core

Deformation processes and rheological changes within the South Tibetan Detachment System (STDS) played a key role in accommodating exhumation of the Greater Himalayan Sequence (GHS). We present a study for the STDS in Zherger La, Yadong region, east-central Himalaya, to better quantify the spatial and temporal variations of the shear zone's internal deformation and rheology properties. Quartz microstructures and crystallographic preferred orientations, together with quantitative estimates of deformation temperatures, differential stresses, strain rates and viscosities are deduced from the ductile segment of the detachment zone. The mylonites that comprise the exposed shear zone preserve a range of deformation conditions that are interpreted in terms of progressive exhumation. Strain localization within the STDS is indicated by the microstructural evolution from penetrative deformation of constitutive minerals to localized deformation into quartz, which exhibit interconnected networks and high strain zones. Deformation temperatures decrease from 510 ± 40 to 405 ± 50 °C and differential stresses increase from 24 to 100 MPa structurally upwards, as indicated by two-feldspar thermometry and quartz paleopiezometry, respectively. Strain rates derived from quartz dislocation creep flow law are on the order of 10−12-10−13 s−1 and are broadly consistent with macrostructurally-derived strain rates of 1.8–5.1 × 10−13 s−1, which are calculated from previously determined exhumation rates and shear zone width. The estimated differential stresses and strain rates are further utilized to determine the variation of viscosities across the STDS. The viscosities within the STDS range at 1019–1020 Pa s. In conjunction with the published numerical modelling and analog modeling studies, the estimated viscosity data are compatible with the channel flow model for exhumation.

Constraining kinematic and temporal evolution of a normal-sense shear zone: Insights into the Simplon Shear Zone (Western Alps)

The exhumation of the Lepontine Dome in the Central Alps was mainly driven by extensional shear zones at its borders. The Simplon Shear Zone (SSZ), formed as a consequence of east-west lateral extrusion perpendicular to north-south convergence between Adria and Europa plates, has been the leading structure in the exhumation of the western sector of the Lepontine Dome where the deepest rocks of Central Alps are nowadays exposed. We present here a multidisciplinary study of the SSZ combining fieldwork, microstructural analyses, vorticity estimates, quartz c-axis fabric analysis, quartz paleopiezometry and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology. The SSZ evolved from epidote-amphibolite to greenschist facies and then brittle conditions during shearing. A decrease of simple shear component from 88% to 37% towards the top of the shear zone is observed, with mylonites displaying ages within the 12-8 Ma time interval. Differential stress (59–78 MPa) and strain rate (10−11-10−12 s−1) estimates are in agreement with values obtained for crustal-scale low-angle normal faults developed at medium to shallow crustal levels.Our multiscale and multidisciplinary approach points out that the SSZ experienced a complex evolution, with shear strain heterogeneously distributed across the shear zone in the frame of a decrease of the simple shear component and increase of the differential flow stress toward the top of the shear zone.

Subduction characteristics of the ordovician erlangping back-arc basin in the east qinling mountains, china: implications for the tectonic evolution of the northern margin of the proto-tethys ocean

ABSTRACT A relatively complete trench–arc–basin system developed on the northern margin of the Proto-Tethys Ocean, and its subduction mode is key in reconstructing the tectonic evolution of the northern Proto-Tethyan margin. The Erlangping Group in the East Qinling Mountains is thought to be the product of subduction in the back-arc basin. Analysis of the metamorphism and deformation recorded by the group may elucidate the subduction mode of the back-arc basin. In this study, the tectonites in the southern and northern parts of Erlangping Group are taken as the research object, and their dynamic parameters such as geometry, kinematics and vorticity are determined by field observation and indoor tectonic deformation analysis. Deformed rocks in the northern part of the Erlangping Group are mainly feldspathic schists, primary mylonite, and mylonite, and the deformed rocks in the southern part of the Erlangping Group are mainly schists. The geometric characteristics of Erlangping group show that the foliation (30°–60°∠ 42°–70°) and dip lineation (5°–62°∠ 33°–51°) in the north of Erlangping group incline to NE, while the foliation (174°–234°∠ 50°–80°) and dip lineation (195°–230°∠ 45°–65°) in the South incline to SW; the kinematic characteristics show that both sides of Erlangping Group move under Qinling Group and Kuanping Group, respectively. Kinematic vorticity calculation shows that the vorticity values of the northern and southern parts of Erlangping Group are 0.79 and 0.78, respectively, both of which are more than 0.75, indicating that the shear type is dominated by simple shear and supplemented by pure shear. The average values of kinematic vorticity on the northern and southern parts of Erlangping Group are 0.78 and 0.79, respectively, both more than 0.75, indicating that subduction was dominated by simple shear, with minor pure shear deformation. The subduction deformation temperature range of Erlangping Group is estimated to be 380 ~ 500°C by the degree of quartz dynamic recrystallization. There is a positive correlation between the differential stress value σ (southern parts of Erlangping Group: 17.84–46.50; northern parts of Erlangping Group: 17.87–71.66) and strain rate ε (southern parts of Erlangping Group: 2.09 × 10–14 – 2.51 × 10–13; northern parts of Erlangping Group: 2.08 × 10–14 – 8.23 × 10–13) during subduction, while the grain size of dynamically recrystallized quartz is negatively correlated with strain rate. The specific performance is that in the northern part of Erlangping Group, from the Waxuezi–Qiaoduan shear zone to the Damiao–Dongjie shear zone, with the increase of the particle size of dynamically recrystallized quartz particles, the values of differential stress and strain rate gradually decrease, and have the same performance in the southern part of Erlangping Group. Through the above structural deformation analysis, combined with the previous research results on the material composition, sedimentary formation, magmatism, metamorphism and deformation of the Erlangping back-arc basin, it is considered that the Erlangping back-arc basin has the characteristics of bidirectional subduction during the late Palaeozoic subduction.*

High-stress creep preceding coseismic rupturing in amphibolite-facies ultramylonites

Coeval pseudotachylytes (solidified melts produced during seismic slip) and mylonites are generally regarded as the geological record of transient seismic events during dominant ductile flow. Thermal runaway has been proposed as a model to explain the pseudotachylyte-mylonite association. In the Mont Mary unit (Western Alps), pseudotachylyte fault veins occur along the amphibolite-facies (ca. 550°C; 0.35 GPa) ultramylonitic foliation of paragneisses. These veins formed at the same metamorphic conditions of the ultramylonites, thus potentially recording thermal runaway. We analysed the microstructure of quartz in ultramylonite and of ultramylonite clasts in pseudotachylyte to investigate the possible occurrence of thermal runaway. Quartz aggregates show an evolution under constant temperature to ultrafine-grained recrystallised grain size (2.5 μm), reflecting creep under high differential stresses (> 200 MPa) and high strain rates (10−9 s−1), along very narrow foliation-parallel layers. In the ultrafine aggregates, viscous grain boundary sliding became dominant and promoted cavitation leading to disintegration of quartz aggregates and precipitation, in the pore space, of biotite, oriented parallel to the main ultramylonitic foliation. The strain rate-limiting process was aseismic fluid-assisted precipitation of biotite. The potential occurrence, at the deformation conditions of the Mont Mary ultramylonites, of thermal runaway in pure quartz layers was investigated by numerical modelling. The models predict a switch from stable flow to thermal runaway at background strain rates faster than 10−9 s−1 for critical differential stresses that are comparable to the brittle strength of rocks. Deformation of ultramylonites occurred close to the conditions for thermal runaway to occur, but based on the microstructural record we conclude that the Mont Mary pseudotachylyte-mylonite association is best explained by brittle failure, triggered by transients of high differential stress and strain rate causing a downward deflection of the brittle-ductile transition.

A novel rate based methodology for creep fatigue life estimation of superalloys

In this present work, we present an accumulated inelastic strain rate based methodology to predict creep fatigue life of two different superalloys i.e. Haynes 282 and IN 718. The evolution of differential strain rate during creep and fatigue respectively motivated the present work. As creep is the rate controlling damage process in creep fatigue interaction, present mean strain rate based approach considers creep strain rate as a kinetic variable controlling the process. The other variable considered for this approach is accumulative cyclic strain during Creep-fatigue interaction. Our prediction method is purely based upon a relative accumulation rate of creep and fatigue strain. This method correlates the creep fatigue life with rate of interaction in strain-controlled regions successfully from the data of creep fatigue tests on those superalloys at two temperatures, 650 °C and 760 °C. We found suitable microstructure sensitive constants in a lifing model.

Temporal stability of coda Q in the northeastern part of an inland high strain rate zone, central Japan: implication of a persistent ductile deformation in the crust

We have analyzed the temporal variation in coda Q in the northeastern part of an inland high strain rate zone, the Niigata–Kobe Tectonic Zone (NKTZ), in central Japan, to investigate the response of coda Q to the modification of the strain field induced by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake (Mw 9.0). We observe no statistically significant temporal variations in the spatial distribution of coda Q as the whole analyzed area, implying that the crustal deformation induced by the 2011 Tohoku earthquake has provided no significant temporal variation in crustal heterogeneity as the whole analyzed area. For the middle frequency bands, before and after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, we have commonly found a negative correlation between the spatial distributions of coda Q and the differential strain rate and a positive correlation between the spatial distributions of coda Q and the perturbation of S-wave velocity in the upper crust. These features, together with previous works, suggest that the ductile deformation with a high rate in the upper crust plays an important role in generating the high strain rate in the analyzed area not only before but also after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. In other words, the existence of a persistent ductile deformation in the upper crust contributes essentially to the generation process of the high strain rate in the northeastern part of the NKTZ. It is important to note that the location of the persistent ductile deformation in the northeastern part of the NKTZ, mainly in the upper crust, differs from that in the central part of the NKTZ, mainly in the lower crust.

Effects of Temporary Alloying and Severe Plastic Deformation on Microstructure Evolution and Mechanical Properties of Ti-Alloys: A Comparative Study

Near-α (VT 20) and α + β (Ti–6Al–4V) Ti alloys having similar initial grain morphology with equiaxed α in transformed β were subjected to microstructure refinement processes by thermohydrogen processing (THP) and caliber rolling (CR), respectively. The microstructure analysis after THP and CR of the alloys revealed the change in morphology and refinement of microstructure. The microstructure analysis after initial constant strain rate tests at 850 °C exhibited needle-like morphology for THP alloy, whereas it was equiaxed for as-received VT 20 and CR 750 alloy. An additional attempt was made on the CR alloy towards determining the magnitudes of strain rate sensitivity index (m) through differential strain rate test conducted over a number of strain rate change cycles at 850 °C and 927 °C. Both THP and CR processes resulted in grain refinement and the change in morphology of microstructure.

Joint geodetic and seismic analysis of surface crevassing near a seasonal glacier-dammed lake at Gornergletscher, Switzerland

ABSTRACTSeasonal lake Gornersee forms at the confluence of Gornergletscher and Grenzgletscher, Switzerland, and experiences outburst floods annually in midsummer. To study the interplay between lake drainage, glacier movement and crevasse activity, high-frequency seismometers and GPS receivers were deployed in networks near Gornersee during the summer ablation seasons of 2004, 2006 and 2007. We use a Rayleigh wave coherence method to locate 3289, 7939 and 4087 icequakes, respectively, primarily along well-defined surface crevasses. We calculate two-dimensional strains from triads of GPS stations and find mean differential strain rates of ~300 × 10−6 d−1 with diurnal variations up to 800 × 10−6 d−1. Crevasse icequake activity and glacial velocity are highest during early season, then decrease as meltwater channels erode and subglacial water pressure decreases. Glacial response to Gornersee drainage varied year-to-year, with icequake activity promoted at some crevasses and inhibited at others, suggesting syn-drainage icequakes may be indicative of local drainage patterns and small-scale features of the stress field. Diurnal pulses in icequake activity exhibit peak activity at different times of day in different locations, coincident with a southeast-to-northwest trending concentrated shear zone near the Gornergletscher–Grenzgletscher confluence, likely due to differences in the timing of peak strain rate in these regions.

Multipass-friction Stir Processing (MFSP) of Ti-6Al-4V Alloy and Investigation of Flow Properties

Multipass friction stir processing (MFSP) of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy was carried out at 600 tool rpm and 80 mm/min traverse speed. After first pass, the initial elongated α structure transformed to prior β grains, consisting of a mixture of acicular α’and very fine lamellar α colonies along with α layer grain boundary in stir zone (SZ). This subsequently transformed to equiaxed α grain via dynamic recrystallization (DRX) process. With the increase in the number of FSP passes the fraction of equiaxed α grains was found to increase, reaching almost fully equiaxed α structure in SZ upon completion of the fifth pass. Flow properties of MFSP Ti-6Al-4V alloy were investigated by differential strain rate test carried out at 927°C. There appears no significant variation in the strain rate sensitivity index (m ≥ 0.3) values between as received Ti-6Al-4V alloy and MFSP Ti-6Al-4V alloy specimens.

Theoretical derivation of flow laws for quartz dislocation creep: Comparisons with experimental creep data and extrapolation to natural conditions using water fugacity corrections

AbstractWe theoretically derived flow laws for quartz dislocation creep using climb‐controlled dislocation creep models and compared them with available laboratory data for quartz plastic deformation. We assumed volume diffusion of oxygen‐bearing species along different crystallographic axes (//c, ⊥R, and ⊥c) of α‐quartz and β‐quartz, and pipe diffusion of H2O, to be the elementary processes of dislocation climb. The relationships between differential stress (σ) and strain rate ( ) are written as and for cases controlled by volume and pipe diffusion, respectively, where Dv and Dp are coefficients of diffusion for volume and pipe diffusion. In previous experimental work, there were up to ~1.5 orders of magnitude difference in the water fugacity values in experiments that used either gas‐pressure‐medium or solid‐pressure‐medium deformation apparatus. Therefore, in both the theories and flow laws, we included water fugacity effects as modified preexponential factors and water fugacity terms. Previous experimental data were obtained mainly in the β‐quartz field and are highly consistent with the volume‐diffusion‐controlled dislocation creep models of β‐quartz involving the water fugacity term. The theory also predicts significant effects for the transition of α‐β quartz under crustal conditions. Under experimental pressure and temperature conditions, the flow stress of pipe‐diffusion‐controlled dislocation creep is higher than that for volume‐diffusion‐controlled creep. Extrapolation of the flow laws to natural conditions indicates that the contributions of pipe diffusion may dominate over volume diffusion under low‐temperature conditions of the middle crust around the brittle‐plastic transition zone.

NanoSIMS study of seismically deformed zircon: Evidence of Y, Yb, Ce, and P redistribution and resetting of radiogenic Pb

Lattice defects in zircon can cause trace elements redistribution and disturbance of isotopic systems. This study investigates in detail how seismically induced deformation microstructures in zircon correlate with trace element and isotope re-equilibration. Felsic mylonites with pseudotachylyte veins from the Ivrea-Verbano Zone in Northern Italy were studied with special focus on deformed zircon. We have revealed the following post-growth deformation microstructures: planar deformation bands (PDBs), planar fractures (PFs), non-planar fractures (both healed and open), and finite strain patterns. PDBs are planar portions of crystal lattice that are strictly parallel to {100} crystallographic planes, and are rotated to up to 3° with respect to the host grain. They are from 0.5 to 1 μm wide and have average spacing of 5 μm. PDBs originate in seismically active environment at elevated differential stress, strain rate and temperature. Several grains, in which PDBs are observed, were analyzed with ion microprobe. Ion maps indicate redistribution of radiogenic Pb isotopes associated with PDB formation. Isotopic redistribution preferably occurs in PDBs with larger crystallographic misorientation. Profiling demonstrated clear spatial correlation of PDBs with variations of REE abundances (both gain and loss), and possible correlations with increased and decreased Hf, Ti, and P abundances. Trace elements can be depleted or enriched (compared to the abundance in surrounding matrix) in deformed domains, depending on the spacing of PDBs and the proximity of the analyzed volume to grain boundary or to detrital core. 207 Pb/ 206 Pb ratio demonstrates systematic Pb-loss in the PDB-bearing lattice domains with respect to PDB-free domains; in some cases Pb-gain is observed, where the PDBs source radiogenic Pb from older detrital cores. Our study has important implications for geochronology and microchemistry of zircon from seismically deformed sections of Ivrea-Verbano Zone and from other paleo-seismic zones of the world. Zircon found in seismically deformed rocks near pseudotachylyte veins may demonstrate distorted and even reset isotopic ages, and altered trace element abundances. Enhanced trace element exchange between deformed zircon and host mylonite can influence mass-balance calculations for the bulk rock.

Spontaneous ductile crustal shear zone formation by thermal softening and related stress, temperature and strain rate evolution

Ductile crustal shear zones play an important role during the formation of orogenic wedges but the softening mechanism controlling their formation and evolution are still debated. We perform two-dimensional thermo-mechanical numerical simulations of lithospheric shortening, including an underlying asthenosphere, to investigate the mechanism for ductile shear localization and to quantify the evolution of differential stress, temperature and strain rate inside shear zones that form in the ductile part of the upper crust. The simulations show the development of an intra-continental subduction zone whereby the lower crust and mantle lithosphere subduct beneath the adjacent mantle lithosphere. The upper crust forms a doubly-vergent wedge in which shear zones form subsequently. Shear zone formation is exclusively caused by thermal softening due to shear heating and temperature dependent viscosity, and is initiated by locally elevated shear stresses. The shear zone thickness is physics-controlled, hence mesh-insensitive and numerically resolved in the simulations. Temperature increase inside crustal shear zones is ca. 100 °C. The tectonic overpressure inside upper crustal shear zones is up to 250MPa and can be twice the value of the corresponding deviatoric stress. Stresses inside the shear zone decrease during its formation and are hence smaller inside the shear zone than outside. Surface processes influence the location and orientation of shear zones, but not their formation and propagation by thermal softening. The numerically calculated differential stress (30–260MPa), temperature (280–380 °C) and strain rate (∼ 10−13s−1) inside ductile crustal shear zones agree with corresponding estimates for natural shear zones. This agreement between modelled differential stress, temperature and strain rate with corresponding natural estimates supports previous results which indicate that thermal softening is a controlling softening mechanism for natural shear zone formation.

Effect of hydrogen on high temperature flow behavior of near α-Ti alloy

The effect of hydrogen on high temperature flow behavior of VT20, a near α-Ti alloy, was studied using differential strain rate compression tests. Hydrogen level was varied from 0.0015 to 0.36wt%. Strain rate jump tests were carried out over the strain rate and temperature ranges of 10−3–10−1s−1 and 600–947°C, respectively. The addition of hydrogen increased the volume fraction of β phase, decreased the grain size and lowered the flow stress up to test temperature of 900°C. The values of apparent strain rate sensitivity (m) and activation energy for deformation (Q) were found to vary from 0.03 to 0.46 and 176–382kJ/mol, respectively, depending on strain rate, test temperature and hydrogen level. With increasing hydrogen content the peak strain rate sensitivity shifted to lower temperatures. The values obtained for m (≥0.30) and Q (~176kJ/mol) suggested that the deformation mechanism is the grain boundary sliding accommodated by lattice diffusion. The lower values of m (0.20–0.25) suggested dislocation climb as the deformation mechanism and the further decrease in m and increase in Q suggested power law breakdown.

Comparison of flow behavior of as-cast and hot rolled Al-B4C composites by constant and differential strain rate tests

High temperature tensile flow behavior of aluminum-boron carbide (Al-B4C) composites of 0, 5 and 15% B4C, hot rolled to ~88% with intermediate annealing at 350 °C, was investigated by constant initial strain rate (CIS) test technique at 500 °C and strain rate jump test technique over the temperature range of 400–500 °C. In the as-cast condition, the flow stresses obtained between CIS and strain rate jump test techniques were found to be significantly different at 500 °C. The strain rate sensitivity index (m) was found to be ~0.1 over for all the composites in both as-cast as well as hot rolled condition. Tensile elongations were found to be 0.36 in both as-cast and hot rolled aluminum, whereas the same reduced in Al-5% B4C composite to 0.35 and 0.27, respectively. The values of activation energy (Q) for deformation of rolled aluminum and Al-5% B4C composite were determined to be 194.2 and 73.4 kJ/mol, respectively. The microstructural examination, using SEM and EBSD techniques, revealed cavitation in aluminum upon differential strain rate test, and grain refinement upon rolling, which increased later during tensile test.

Planar microstructures in zircon from paleo-seismic zones

Pseudotachylytes resulted from frictional melts associated with ultramylonites in high-grade metapelitic rocks from the Ivrea-Verbano zone in the Southern Alps (Northern Italy) were studied with focus on the deformation microstructures in zircon. The aims were to investigate the characteristics of zircon deformation in seismic zones, and to recognize specific microstructures generated in zircon during earthquakes, which could be useful for mineral dating of paleo-seismic events; helps to understand how seismic energy is released at depth and interacts with metamorphic processes. The interior of polished zircon grains ranging from 30 to 150 μm in length were investigated with optical microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques, including secondary electron (SE), backscattered electron (BSE), forward scattered electron (FSE), cathodoluminescence (CL) imaging, and crystallographic orientation mapping by electron backscatter diffraction analysis (EBSD). Grains were studied in situ and as separated fractions embedded in epoxy disks. Among different cataclastic and crystal-plastic deformation microstructures in zircon we identified characteristic planar deformation bands (PDBs), planar fractures (PFs), and curviplanar fractures (CFs). Planar deformation bands in zircon are crystallographically controlled planar lattice volumes with misorientation from the host grain, which varies from 0.4° to 2.7°. PDBs are usually parallel to {100} crystallographic planes, have width from 0.3 to 1 μm and average spacing of 5 μm in 2D sections. Planar deformation bands appear as contrast lamellae in orientation contrast images and in EBSD maps, and in rare cases can be observed with the optical microscope. PDBs form in specifically oriented grains due to high differential stresses, high temperatures, and high strain rates generated in seismically active environment and/or due to shearing in the vicinity of frictional melts. Discovered structures represent a result of crystal-plastic deformation of zircon grains with operating dislocations having {010} glide system and misorientation axis, therefore, they can be classified as a new type 4 lattice distortion pattern, according to the existing classification for zircon (Piazolo et al. 2012; Kovaleva et al. 2014). We have demonstrated that formation of planar fractures in zircon takes place not only during impacts, but also in seismically active zones. We observe at least two cases of formation of PFs with {100} orientation: (1) as a result of evolution of PDBs and (2) as micro-cleavage. This study demonstrates that planar microstructures in terrestrial zircon do not exclusively form during impact events, but also as a result of seismic events at depth due to unusually high differential stress, strain rate, and temperature. According to the new findings, PDBs in zircon from the deep-crust are supposed to represent newly recognized evidence of seismicity.