Effect of shear strain on metal deformation and microstructural evolution

The aim of this project is to perform sole shear deformation (i.e., without axial strain components) of metals and determine the effect of shear strain on deformation mechanisms, microstructure and texture evolution and develop novel processing procedures to tailor the microstructure and texture of metallic materials for various structural applications. This research will exploit state of the art advanced microscopy and CoE mechanical testing units in Swansea, the central neutron diffraction facility (ISIS, Didcot) and Crystal plasticity finite element modelling (CPFEM) to develop a mechanistic understanding.
Methodology: The metals having very different crystal structures, Ti, Zr and Mg (hcp), Al (fcc) and Nb are selected for this research due to their industrial relevance. The start of this research will focus on implementing a Groove Press compatible with the CoE loading machines to perform sole shear deformation. For a mechanistic understanding, specimens from different stages of deformation and recrystallization will be analysed using a range of microscopy facilities, optical, SEM, TEM and EBSD, available in Swansea. In-situ studies at Engin-X, ISIS, will provide details of representative lattice strain evolution of different grain families and allows insights into the activity of different deformation modes. These quantities can also be inputs for CPFEM for better understanding of the deformation mechanisms. CPFEM will also be employed to predict texture and lattice strain evolution.