Characterizing dislocation configurations and their evolution during creep of a new 12% Cr steel

In this research, different types of dislocations are characterized and quantified in a newly developed 12% Cr steel in as-received as well as in crept conditions. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns are analyzed using three different models. The dislocation densities are determined employing the Convolution Multiple Whole Profile (CMWP) fitting, the analysis of the asymptotic part of the X-ray line profile (Groma's method), and the Rietveld refinement coupling Popa's and Williamson-Smallman approaches. CMWP method is used to measure the internal dislocation density inside the subgrains consisting of mobile and dipole dislocations, and the results show good agreement with Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) measurements. Groma's method is used to evaluate the total dislocation density, with results comparable to those obtained from the combination of Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) and TEM. Rietveld method gives the internal dislocation density or mobile dislocation density depending on the model chosen. The experimentally determined results such as creep strain, dislocation densities and subgrain size are compared with theoretical predictions and they are found in good agreement.