On the incorporation of length scales associated with pearlitic and bainitic microstructures into a visco-plastic self-consistent model

A visco-plastic self-consistent model was modified to account for strain hardening in steels with pearlitic and bainitic microstructures. Occurrence of slip and the contribution of secondary phases in body-centered cubic steels to the strengthening were simulated for tension, compression and shear loadings. The initial texture and texture evolution at larger strains for bcc polycrystalline steels with intrinsic barriers to dislocation motion were studied under quasi-static conditions. The crystallographic texture of rails undergoing large shear strains was closely examined and compared to the simulations. The results clearly demonstrate that the method has the capability to predict texture evolution in deformed rails. The methodology offers opportunities for improved materials characterization of various steel microstructures.