Incorporation of twinning into a crystal plasticity finite element model: Evolution of lattice strains and texture in Zircaloy-2

A crystal plasticity finite element code is developed to model lattice strains and texture evolution of HCP crystals. The code is implemented to model elastic and plastic deformation considering slip and twinning based plastic deformation. The model accounts for twinning reorientation and growth. Twinning, as well as slip, is considered to follow a rate dependent formulation. The results of the simulations are compared to previously published in situ neutron diffraction data. Experimental results of the evolution of the texture and lattice strains under uniaxial tension/compression loading along the rolling, transverse, and normal direction of a piece of rolled Zircaloy-2 are compared with model predictions. The rate dependent formulation introduced is capable of correctly capturing the influence of slip and twinning deformation on lattice strains as well as texture evolution.     

A finite strain elastic-viscoplastic self-consistent model for polycrystalline materials

A large strain elastic-viscoplastic self-consistent (EVPSC) model for polycrystalline materials is developed. At single crystal level, both the rate sensitive slip and twinning are included as the plastic deformation mechanisms, while elastic anisotropy is accounted for in the elastic moduli. The transition from single crystal plasticity to polycrystal plasticity is based on a completely self-consistent approach. It is shown that the differences in the predicted stress-strain curves and texture evolutions based on the EVPSC and the viscoplastic self-consistent (VPSC) model proposed by Lebensohn and Tomé (1993) are negligible at large strains for monotonic loadings. For the deformations involving unloading and strain path changes, the EVPSC predicts a smooth elasto-plastic transition, while the VPSC model gives a discontinuous response due to lack of elastic deformation. It is also demonstrated that the EVPSC model can capture some important experimental features which cannot be simulated by using the VPSC model.     

Crystal plasticity analysis of texture development in magnesium alloy during extrusion

The texture development mechanism during the extrusion of magnesium alloy is investigated by experimental observation and numerical analysis. First, we perform a finite element analysis of a full extrusion process using a phenomenological constitutive equation, and it is confirmed that the loading condition of the extrusion process near the central axis of the billet is approximated by an equi-biaxial compression mode. Then, the equi-biaxial compression problem is adopted as a simplified boundary value problem to be solved using a crystal plasticity model to clarify the detailed texture development mechanism during the extrusion process. The crystal plasticity analysis of equi-biaxial compression successfully reproduces the texture development from an initial random texture to the final experimentally observed texture. The effects of the deformation modes (i.e. slip and twinning systems) implemented in the calculation and the reference stress ratio of basal to nonbasal slip systems on texture development are studied in detail. Finally, the mechanism of texture development during the extrusion process is discussed in terms of the lattice rotation caused by the activated slip systems.     

A dislocation-based constitutive law for pure Zr including temperature effects

In this work, a single crystal constitutive law for multiple slip and twinning modes in single phase hcp materials is developed. For each slip mode, a dislocation population is evolved explicitly as a function of temperature and strain rate through thermally-activated recovery and debris formation and the associated hardening includes stage IV. A stress-based hardening law for twin activation accounts for temperature effects through its interaction with slip dislocations. For model validation against macroscopic measurement, this single crystal law is implemented into a visco-plastic-self-consistent (VPSC) polycrystal model which accounts for texture evolution and contains a subgrain micromechanical model for twin reorientation and morphology. Slip and twinning dislocations interact with the twin boundaries through a directional Hall–Petch mechanism. The model is adjusted to predict the plastic anisotropy of clock-rolled pure Zr for three different deformation paths and at four temperatures ranging from 76 K to 450 K (at a quasi-static rate of 10⁻³ 1/s). The model captures the transition from slip-dominated to twinning-dominated deformation as temperature decreases, and identifies microstructural mechanisms, such as twin nucleation and twin–slip interactions, where future characterization is needed.     

On the strain hardening and texture evolution in high manganese steels: Experiments and numerical investigation

We present a systematic investigation on the strain hardening and texture evolution in high manganese steels where twinning induced plasticity (TWIP) plays a significant role for the materials' plastic deformation. Motivated by the stress–strain behavior of typical TWIP steels with compositions of Fe, Mn, and C, we develop a mechanistic model to explain the strain-hardening in crystals where deformation twinning dominates the plastic deformation. The classical single crystal plasticity model accounting for both dislocation slip and deformation twinning are then employed to simulate the plastic deformation in polycrystalline TWIP steels. While only deformation twinning is activated for plasticity, the simulations with samples composed of voronoi grains cannot fully capture the texture evolution of the TWIP steel. By including both twinning deformation and dislocation slip, the model is able to capture both the stress–strain behaviors and the texture evolution in Fe–Mn–C TWIP steel in different boundary-value problems. Further analysis on the strain contributions by both mechanisms suggests that deformation twinning plays the dominant role at the initial stage of plasticity in TWIP steels, and dislocation slip becomes increasingly important at large strains.     

镁合金晶体塑性本构模型与非均匀孪生变形分析

微结构演化对镁合金材料力学性能有着显著的影响,为了揭示镁合金宏观塑性各向异性特性与非均匀孪生变形的关系,开展了不同路径下的单轴加载试验以及采用含滑移、孪生机制的晶体塑性本构模型对试验条件下的镁合金变形行为进行数值模拟研究.文中本构模型描述了滑移与孪生变形机制以及晶格转动的机制,同时研究采用三维微结构代表性有限元模型,其包含晶粒尺寸、晶向和晶界倾角等微结构参数.研究结果表明,轧制镁合金具有强烈的宏观塑性各向异性行为,并对这种镁合金塑性各向异性行为的模拟结果以及多晶织构的模拟演化结果与试验测量进行对比,结果都基本吻合.对孪生非均匀变形模拟分析表明,镁合金宏观塑性各向异性行为与滑移、孪生变形机制的不同启动组合紧密相关,同时多晶体内应力的非均匀分布受到孪生变形的严重影响.而不同晶粒尺寸的晶粒所发生的孪生变形有比较大的差异,造成孪晶变体在晶粒内的分布极不均匀.该研究可为通过微结构的合理配置来设计和控制材料的力学性能提供理论依据.     

Forming limit comparisons for FCC and BCC sheets

In this paper, numerical simulations of forming limit diagrams (FLDs) are performed based on a rate-sensitive polycrystal plasticity model together with the Marciniak–Kuczynski (M–K) approach. Sheet necking is initiated from an initial imperfection in terms of a narrow band. The deformations inside and outside the band are assumed to be homogeneous, and conditions of compatibility and equilibrium are enforced across the band interfaces. Thus, the polycrystal model need only be applied to two polycrystal aggregates, one inside and one outside the band. Both FCC and BCC crystals are considered with 12 distinct slip systems for an FCC crystal and 24 distinct slip systems for a BCC crystal. The response of an aggregate comprised of many grains is based on an elastic–viscoplastic Taylor-type polycrystal model. With this formulation, the effects of initial imperfection intensity and orientation, crystal elasticity, strain-rate sensitivity, single slip hardening, and latent hardening on the FLD can be assessed. Identical initial textures are considered for both FCC and BCC polycrystals and the predicted FLDs are compared with each other.     

Transition theories of elastic-plastic deformation of metallic polycrystals

Summary A general approach to the problem of determination of elastoplastic behavior of metallic polycrystals at finite deformation is presented. The relation between moving dislocation density and global slip rate for grains is developed. Transition to grain response is obtained by introducing the hardening matrix. Field equations for heterogeneous elastoplastic metals are transformed into an integral equation, using Green functions technique. This allows to find the spin of the lattice related to texture formation.Scale transition is achieved by a self-consistent approximation of the integral equation. New results concerning BCC metals (sheet steel) are presented. They apply to tensile test, Lankford coefficient, initial and subsequent yield surfaces, and evolution of the internal state of the polycrystal: second-order residual stress, stored energy and texture evolution.     

Numerical modeling of formability of extruded magnesium alloy tubes

In this paper, a constitutive framework based on a rate-dependent crystal plasticity theory is employed to simulate the large strain deformation phenomena in hexagonal closed-packed (HCP) metals such as magnesium. The new framework is incorporated into in-house codes. Simulations are performed using the new crystal plasticity model in which crystallographic slip and deformation twinning are the principal deformation mechanisms. Simulations of various stress states (uniaxial tension, uniaxial compression and the so-called ring hoop tension test) for the magnesium alloy AM30 are performed and the results are compared with experimental observations of specimens deformed at 200 °C. Numerical simulations of forming limit diagrams (FLDs) are also performed using the Marciniak–Kuczynski (M–K) approach. With this formulation, the effects of crystallographic slip and deformation twinning on the FLD can be assessed.     

Modelling of texture evolution in metals accounting for lattice reorientation due to twinning

Twinning has been incorporated into a crystal plasticity model with the regularized Schmid law. In order to account for the appearance of twin-related orientations, a new probabilistic twin reorientation scheme that maintains the number of reoriented grains consistent with the accumulated deformation by twinning within the polycrystalline element, has been developed. A hardening rule describing slip–twin interactions has been also proposed. Model predictions concerning material response and texture evolution have been analyzed for fcc materials of low stacking fault energy.     

A dislocation density-based single crystal constitutive equation

Single crystal constitutive equations based on dislocation density (SCCE-D) were developed from Orowan’s strengthening equation and simple geometric relationships of the operating slip systems. The flow resistance on a slip plane was computed using the Burger’s vector, line direction, and density of the dislocations on all other slip planes, with no adjustable parameters. That is, the latent/self-hardening matrix was determined by the crystallography of the slip systems alone. The multiplication of dislocations on each slip system incorporated standard 3-parameter dislocation density evolution equations applied to each slip system independently; this is the only phenomenological aspect of the SCCE-D model. In contrast, the most widely used single crystal constitutive equations for texture analysis (SCCE-T) feature 4 or more adjustable parameters that are usually back-fit from a polycrystal flow curve. In order to compare the accuracy of the two approaches to reproduce single crystal behavior, tensile tests of single crystals oriented for single slip were simulated using crystal plasticity finite element modeling. Best-fit parameters (3 for SCCE-D, 4 for SCCE-T) were determined using either multiple or single slip stress–strain curves for copper and iron from the literature. Both approaches reproduced the data used for fitting accurately. Tensile tests of copper and iron single crystals oriented to favor the remaining combinations of slip systems were then simulated using each model (i.e. multiple slip cases for equations fit to single slip, and vice versa). In spite of fewer fit parameters, the SCCE-D predicted the flow stresses with a standard deviation of 14 MPa, less than one half that for the SCCE-T conventional equations: 31 MPa. Polycrystalline texture simulations were conducted to compare predictions of the two models. The predicted polycrystal flow curves differed considerably, but the differences in texture evolution were insensitive to the type of constitutive equations. The SCCE-D method provides an improved representation of single-crystal plastic response with fewer adjustable parameters, better accuracy, and better predictivity than the constitutive equations most widely used for texture analysis (SCCE-T).     

PREDICTION OF EARING IN TEXTURED ALUMINIUM SHEETS BASED ON CRYSTAL PLASTICITY

The phenomenon of earing is investigated in the present study based on the theory of crystal plasticity with the dynamic explicit finite element program developed. Firstly texture analysis is carried out of rolled aluminium alloy Al5052 by means of X-ray technique. Then from the texture coefficients an analytical expression for the orientation distribution function (ODF) is derived making use of the computer algebraic language Mathematica4.0, which makes it easier to discretize the ODF into a series of Eulerian angles representing the distribution of lattices and further the preferred orientation (texture) of crystals of the original sheets. For the polycrystal model, the material is described using crystal plasticity where each material point in grains with each grain modelled as an FCC crystal with 12 distinct slip systems. The modified Taylor theory of crystal plasticity is used and only the initial texture is taken into consideration during large plastic deformation. Numerical simulation of earing has been performed for an aluminium sheet with texture and one with crystals exhibiting random distribution to demonstrate the effect of texture of materials on their plastic anisotropy and formability. Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 59875025).     

On the evolution of lattice deformation in austenitic stainless steels—The role of work hardening at finite strains

In this work, a three dimensional crystal plasticity-based finite element model is presented to examine the micromechanical behaviour of austenitic stainless steels. The model accounts for realistic polycrystal micromorphology, the kinematics of crystallographic slip, lattice rotation, slip interaction (latent hardening) and geometric distortion at finite deformation. We utilise the model to predict the microscopic lattice strain evolution of austenitic stainless steels during uniaxial tension at ambient temperature with validation through in situ neutron diffraction measurements. Overall, the predicted lattice strains are in very good agreement with those measured in both longitudinal and transverse directions (parallel and perpendicular to the tensile loading axis, respectively). The information provided by the model suggests that the observed nonlinear response in the transverse {200} grain family is associated with a competitive bimodal evolution of strain during inelastic deformation. The results associated with latent hardening effects at the microscale also indicate that in situ neutron diffraction measurements in conjunction with macroscopic uniaxial tensile data may be used to calibrate crystal plasticity models for the prediction of the inelastic material deformation response.     

Rate-independent crystalline and polycrystalline plasticity,application to FCC materials

This paper deals with the simulation of the mechanical response and texture evolution of cubic crystals and polycrystals for a rate-independent elastic–plastic constitutive law. No viscous effects are considered. An algorithm is introduced to treat the difficult case of multi-surface plasticity. This algorithm allows the computation of the mechanical response of a single crystal. The corresponding yield surface is made of the intersection of several hyper-planes in the stress space. The problem of the multiplicity of the slip systems is solved thanks to a pseudo-inversion method. Self and latent hardening are taken into account. In order to compute the response of a polycrystal, a Taylor homogenization scheme is used. The stress–strain response of single crystals and polycrystals is computed for various loading cases. The texture evolution predicted for compression, plane strain compression and simple shear are compared with the results given by a visco-plastic polycrystalline model.     

A dislocation density based crystal plasticity finite element model: Application to a two-phase polycrystalline HCP/BCC composites

We present a multiscale model for anisotropic, elasto-plastic, rate- and temperature-sensitive deformation of polycrystalline aggregates to large plastic strains. The model accounts for a dislocation-based hardening law for multiple slip modes and links a single-crystal to a polycrystalline response using a crystal plasticity finite element based homogenization. It is capable of predicting local stress and strain fields based on evolving microstructure including the explicit evolution of dislocation density and crystallographic grain reorientation. We apply the model to simulate monotonic mechanical response of a hexagonal close-packed metal, zirconium (Zr), and a body-centered cubic metal, niobium (Nb), and study the texture evolution and deformation mechanisms in a two-phase Zr/Nb layered composite under severe plastic deformation. The model predicts well the texture in both co-deforming phases to very large plastic strains. In addition, it offers insights into the active slip systems underlying texture evolution, indicating that the observed textures develop by a combination of prismatic, pyramidal, and anomalous basal slip in Zr and primarily {110}〈111〉 slip and secondly {112}〈111〉 slip in Nb.     

Evaluation of self-consistent polycrystal plasticity models for magnesium alloy AZ31B sheet

Various self-consistent polycrystal plasticity models for hexagonal close packed (HCP) polycrystals are evaluated by studying the deformation behavior of magnesium alloy AZ31B sheet under different uniaxial strain paths. In all employed polycrystal plasticity models both slip and twinning contribute to plastic deformation. The material parameters for the various models are fitted to experimental uniaxial tension and compression along the rolling direction (RD) and then used to predict uniaxial tension and compression along the traverse direction (TD) and uniaxial compression in the normal direction (ND). An assessment of the predictive capability of the polycrystal plasticity models is made based on comparisons of the predicted and experimental stress responses and R values. It is found that, among the models examined, the self-consistent models with grain interaction stiffness halfway between those of the limiting Secant (stiff) and Tangent (compliant) approximations give the best results. Among the available options, the Affine self-consistent scheme results in the best overall performance. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the R values under uniaxial tension and compression within the sheet plane show a strong dependence on imposed strain. This suggests that developing anisotropic yield functions using measured R values must account for the strain dependence.     

Continuity in the plastic strain rate and its influence on texture evolution

Classical plasticity models evolve state variables in a spatially independent manner through (local) ordinary differential equations, such as in the update of the rotation field in crystal plasticity. A continuity condition is derived for the lattice rotation field from a conservation law for Burgers vector content—a consequence of an averaged field theory of dislocation mechanics. This results in a nonlocal evolution equation for the lattice rotation field. The continuity condition provides a theoretical basis for assumptions of co-rotation models of crystal plasticity. The simulation of lattice rotations and texture evolution provides evidence for the importance of continuity in modeling of classical plasticity. The possibility of predicting continuous fields of lattice rotations with sharp gradients representing non-singular dislocation distributions within rigid viscoplasticity is discussed and computationally demonstrated.     

Continuum modeling of the response of a Mg alloy AZ31 rolled sheet during uniaxial deformation

Lightweight magnesium alloys, such as AZ31, constitute alternative materials of interest for many industrial sectors such as the transport industry. For instance, reducing vehicle weight and thus fuel consumption can actively benefit the global efforts of the current environmental industry policies. To this end, several research groups are focusing their experimental efforts on the development of advanced Mg alloys. However, comparatively little computational work has been oriented towards the simulation of the micromechanisms underlying the deformation of these metals. Among them, the model developed by Staroselsky and Anand [Staroselsky, A., Anand, L., 2003. A constitutive model for HCP materials deforming by slip and twinning: application to magnesium alloy AZ31B. International Journal of Plasticity 19 (10), 1843–1864] successfully captured some of the intrinsic features of deformation in Magnesium alloys. Nevertheless, some deformation micromechanisms, such as cross-hardening between slip and twin systems, have been either simplified or disregarded. In this work, we propose the development of a crystal plasticity continuum model aimed at fully describing the intrinsic deformation mechanisms between slip and twin systems. In order to calibrate and validate the proposed model, an experimental campaign consisting of a set of quasi-static compression tests at room temperature along the rolling and normal directions of a polycrystalline AZ31 rolled sheet, as well as an analysis of the crystallographic texture at different stages of deformation, has been carried out. The model is then exploited by investigating stress and strain fields, texture evolution, and slip and twin activities during deformation. The flexibility of the overall model is ultimately demonstrated by casting light on an experimental controversy on the role of the pyramidal slip 〈c + a〉 versus compression twinning in the late stage of polycrystalline deformation, and a failure criterion related to basal slip activity is proposed.