Effects of strain, strain rate and temperature on deformation twinning in a Cu–Zn alloy

The effects of strain, strain rate and temperature on deformation twinning in a Cu–Zn alloy were systematically investigated by means of transmission electron microscopy. With increasing strain, the average twin layer thickness (λ) decreased slightly while the average twin boundary spacing (Δ) decreased significantly; both saturated at the same value when strain exceeds 1.2. Variations of λ with strain rate and temperature were analyzed by using the Zener–Hollomon parameter, Z, and it was found that a larger Z leads to a smaller λ.