Analysis of microbending tests for polycrystalline materials using the modified strain gradient theory

A modified strain gradient theory is proposed based on the nonhomogeneity of polycrystalline metallic materials and free surface effects. Consideration of the geometrically necessary dislocations on the grain boundary and the free surface effect suggests a relationship between the characteristic length, specimen size and grain size. This relationship can explain the size effects and flow stress in micro/nanoscale structures. We will propose a new model for bending tests using the modified strain gradient plasticity theory. Using the proposed model, bending behavior of polycrystalline materials in micron-scale structures is investigated, and compared with experimental results from other researchers.