Slip transfer and plastic strain accumulation across grain boundaries in Hastelloy X

In this study, high resolution ex situ digital image correlation (DIC) was used to measure plastic strain accumulation with sub-grain level spatial resolution in uniaxial tension of a nickel-based superalloy, Hastelloy X. In addition, the underlying microstructure was characterized with similar spatial resolution using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). With this combination of crystallographic orientation data and plastic strain measurements, the resolved shear strains on individual slip systems were spatially calculated across a substantial region of interest, i.e., we determined the local slip system activity in an aggregate of ∼600 grains and annealing twins. The full-field DIC measurements show a high level of heterogeneity in the plastic response with large variations in strain magnitudes within grains and across grain boundaries (GBs). We used the experimental results to study these variations in strain, focusing in particular on the role of slip transmission across GBs in the development of strain heterogeneities. For every GB in the polycrystalline aggregate, we have established the most likely dislocation reaction and used that information to calculate the residual Burgers vector and plastic strain magnitudes due to slip transmission across each interface. We have also used molecular dynamics simulations (MD) to establish the energy barriers to slip transmission for selected cases yielding different magnitudes of the residual Burgers vector. From our analysis, we show an inverse relation between the magnitudes of the residual Burgers vector and the plastic strains across GBs. Also, the MD simulations reveal a higher energy barrier for slip transmission at high magnitudes of the residual Burgers vector. We therefore emphasize the importance of considering the magnitude of the residual Burgers vector to obtain a better description of the GB resistance to slip transmission, which in turn influences the local plastic strains in the vicinity of grain boundaries.

► We experimentally study local deformation in the vicinity of grain boundaries identifying the resolved shear strains. ► We focus on the role of slip transmission across GBs in causing strain heterogeneities. ► High resolution DIC and EBSD are used to evaluate local slip system activity in the core and mantle domains. ► Energy barriers for slip transmission across grain boundaries are established from molecular dynamics. ► The magnitude of the residual Burgers vector influences the GB resistance.