• Neggers, J.
• Hoefnagels, Jpm Johan
• Vermeij, Tijmen
• Verstijnen, J. A. C.
• Blaysat, B.
• Cantador, T. J. J. Ramirez Y.

Abstract

<p>Background: The continuous development of new multiphase alloys with improved mechanical properties requires quantitative microstructure-resolved observation of the nanoscale deformation mechanisms at, e.g., multiphase interfaces. This calls for a combinatory approach beyond advanced testing methods such as microscale strain mapping on bulk material and micrometer sized deformation tests of single grains. Objective: We propose a nanomechanical testing framework that has been carefully designed to integrate several state-of-the-art testing and characterization methods. Methods: (i) Well-defined nano-tensile testing of carefully selected and isolated multiphase specimens, (ii) front&amp;rear-sided SEM-EBSD microstructural characterization combined with front&amp;rear-sided in-situ SEM-DIC testing at very high resolution enabled by a recently developed InSn nano-DIC speckle pattern, (iii) optimized DIC strain mapping aided by application of SEM scanning artefact correction and DIC deconvolution for improved spatial resolution, (iv) a novel microstructure-to-strain alignment framework to deliver front&amp;rear-sided, nanoscale, microstructure-resolved strain fields, and (v) direct comparison of microstructure, strain and SEM-BSE damage maps in the deformed configuration. Results: Demonstration on a micrometer-sized dual-phase steel specimen, containing an incompatible ferrite-martensite interface, shows how the nanoscale deformation mechanisms can be unraveled. Discrete lath-boundary-aligned martensite strain localizations transit over the interface into diffuse ferrite plasticity, revealed by the nanoscale front&amp;rear-sided microstructure-to-strain alignment and optimization of DIC correlations. Conclusions: The proposed testing and alignment framework yields front&amp;rear-sided aligned microstructure and strain fields providing 3D interpretation of the deformations and opening new opportunities for unprecedented validation of advanced multiphase simulations.</p>

Topics

• grain
• phase
• scanning electron microscopy
• simulation
• steel
• plasticity
• electron backscatter diffraction
• deformation mechanism
• aligned