Grain Refinement at the Nanoscale Via Mechanical Twinning and Dislocation Interaction in a Nickel-Based Alloy

A nanostructured surface layer was formed on an Inconel 600 plate by subjecting it to surface mechanical attrition treatment at room temperature. Transmission electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy of the treated surface layer were carried out to reveal the underlying grain refinement mechanism. Experimental observations showed that the strain-induced nanocrystallization in the current sample occurred via formation of mechanical microtwins and subsequent interaction of the microtwins with dislocations in the surface layer. The development of high-density dislocation arrays inside the twin-matrix lamellae provides precursors for grain boundaries that subdivide the nanometer-thick lamellae into equiaxed, nanometer-sized grains with random orientations.

Deformation twinning and its effect on crack extension

Deformation twinning near a crack tip is observed in b.c.c. metal Mo based on molecular dynamics simulation at temperature T = 50 K and loading rate (K) over dot(II) = 0.0706 MPa m(1/2)/ps. The defor mation twinning is closely controlled by both the crystal geometry orientation and the stress distribution. The width of the deformation twin band is affected by the distance between the upper and lower crack surfaces. The twin plane and twin direction are (<1(1)over bar>2) and [(1) over bar 11], respectively. The initial crack extension occurs in the deformation twin region near the crack tip. The simulation shows that the extension direction of the crack is changed as the crack propagates over the twinning boundary.

Deformation Twinning Mechanisms in Nanocrystalline Ni

Extensive transmission electron microscopy examinations confirm that twinning does occur upon large plastic deformation in nanocrystalline Ni, for which no sign of deformation twinning was found in previous tensile tests. Compelling evidence has been obtained for several twinning mechanisms that operate in nanocrystalline grains, with the grain boundary emission of partial dislocations determined as the most proficient. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.

Gamma -> Epsilon Martensite Transformation and Twinning Deformation in fcc Cobalt During Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment

The deformation microstructure of face-centered cubic cobalt subjected to surface mechanical attrition treatment was studied as a function of strain levels. Strain-induced gamma --> epsilon transformation and twinning deformation were evidenced by transmission electron microscopy and were found to progress continuously in ultrafine and nanocrystalline grains as the strain increased.

Deformation Twinning In Bulk Nanocrystalline Metals: Experimental Observations

Deformation twins have been observed in nanocrystalline (nc) fcc metals with medium-to-high stacking fault energies such as aluminum, copper, and nickel. These metals in their coarse-grained states rarely deform by twining at room temperature and low strain rates. Several twinning mechanisms have been reported that are unique to nc metals. This paper reviews experimental evidences on deformation twinning and partial dislocation. emissions from grain boundaries, twinning mechanisms, and twins with zero-macro-strain. Factors that affect the twinning propensity and recent analytical models on the critical grain sizes for twinning are also discussed. The current issues on deformation twinning in nanocrystalline metals are listed.

Inverse Grain-Size Effect On Twinning In Nanocrystalline Ni

A long-standing controversy exists between molecular dynamics simulations and experiments on the twinning propensity of nanocrystalline (NC) face-centered-cubic metals. For example, three-dimensional molecular dynamics simulations rarely observed twins in NC Ni, whereas experiments readily observed them. Here this discrepancy is resolved by experimental observation of an inverse grain-size effect on twinning. Specifically, decreasing the grain size first promotes twinning in NC Ni and then hinders twinning due to the inverse grain-size effect. Interestingly, no inverse grain-size effect exists on stacking fault formation. These observations are explained by generalized planar fault energies and grain-size effect on partial emissions.

New Deformation Twinning Mechanism Generates Zero Macroscopic Strain In Nanocrystalline Metals

Macroscopic strain was hitherto considered a necessary corollary of deformation twinning in coarse-grained metals. Recently, twinning has been found to be a preeminent deformation mechanism in nanocrystalline face-centered-cubic (fcc) metals with medium-to-high stacking fault energies. Here we report a surprising discovery that the vast majority of deformation twins in nanocrystalline Al, Ni, and Cu, contrary to popular belief, yield zero net macroscopic strain. We propose a new twinning mechanism, random activation of partials, to explain this unusual phenomenon. The random activation of partials mechanism appears to be the most plausible mechanism and may be unique to nanocrystalline fcc metals with implications for their deformation behavior and mechanical properties.

Deformation Twinning in Nanocrystalline NI

Deformation twinning is observed upon large plastic deformation in nanocrystalline (nc) Ni by transmission electron microscopy examinations. New and compelling evidence has been obtained for several twinning mechanisms that operate in nc grains, with the gain boundary emission of partial dislocations determined as the most proficient. Deformation twinning in nc Ni is discussed in comparison with molecular dynamics simulation results, based on generalized planar fault energy curves.

Twinning partial multiplication at grain boundary in nanocrystalline fcc metals

Most deformation twins in nanocrystalline face-centered cubic fcc metals have been observed to form from grain boundaries. The growth of such twins requires the emission of Shockley partials from the grain boundary on successive slip planes. However, it is statistically improbable for a partial to exist on every slip plane. Here we propose a dislocation reaction and cross-slip mechanism on the grain boundary that would supply a partial on every successive slip plane for twin growth.This mechanism can also produce a twin with macrostrain smaller than that caused by a conventional twin.

A Continuum Model for Slip-Twinning Interactions in Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys

Due to their high specific strength and low density, magnesium and magnesium-based alloys have gained great technological importance in recent years. However, their underlying hexagonal crystal structure furnishes Mg and its alloys with a complex mechanical behavior because of their comparably smaller number of energetically favorable slip systems. Besides the commonly studied slip mechanism, another way to accomplish general deformation is through the additional mechanism of deformation-induced twinning. The main aim of this thesis research is to develop an efficient continuum model to understand and ultimately predict the material response resulting from the interaction between these two mechanisms.

The constitutive model we present is based on variational constitutive updates of plastic slips and twin volume fractions and accounts for the related lattice reorientation mechanisms. The model is applied to single- and polycrystalline pure magnesium. We outline the finite-deformation plasticity model combining basal, pyramidal, and prismatic dislocation activity as well as a convexification based approach for deformation twinning. A comparison with experimental data from single-crystal tension-compression experiments validates the model and serves for parameter identification. The extension to polycrystals via both Taylor-type modeling and finite element simulations shows a characteristic stress-strain response that agrees well with experimental observations for polycrystalline magnesium. The presented continuum model does not aim to represent the full details of individual twin-dislocation interactions, yet it is sufficiently efficient to allow for finite element simulations while qualitatively capturing the underlying microstructural deformation mechanisms.

Twinning in Low-Temperature MOCVD Grown GaN on (001) GaAs Substrate

GaN buffer layers (thickness ～60nm) grown on GaAs(001) by low-temperature MOCVD are investigated by X-ray diffraction pole figure measurements using synchrotron radiation in order to understand the heteroepitaxial growth features of GaN on GaAs(001) substrates. In addition to the epitaxially aligned crystallites,their corresponding twins of the first and the second order are found in the X-ray diffraction pole figures. Moreover, { 111 } q scans with χ at 55° reveal the abnormal distribution of Bragg diffractions. The extra intensity maxima in the pole fig ures shows that the process of twinning plays a dominating role during the growth process. It is suggested that the polarity of { 111 } facets emerged on (001) surface will affect the growth-twin nucleation at the initial stages of GaN growth on GaAs(001) substrates. It is proposed that twinning is prone to occurring on { 111 } B, N-terminated facets.

Exporting Europeanisation to the Wider Europe: the Twinning Excercise and Administrative Reform in the Candidate Countries and Beyond

This article looks at the EU's efforts to assist administrative reform in Eastern Europe, with particular attention to the twinning exercise, conceptually linked to Europeanization. The article argues that much of the debate on Europeanization has focused predominantly on the way in which existing member states are being transformed as a result of their participation in EU structures. Yet the political importance attached to EU membership by the accession applicants, as well as EU's determination to ensure compliance with the acquis communautaire prior to entry, indicates that Europeanization is not only confined to existing EU member states, but can be exported outside the geographical borders of the EU. Against this background the article argues that extending the scope of the Europeanization thesis beyond existing members can not only help us understand better the process of transformation in Eastern Europe and the ongoing accession negotiations, but can also contribute towards the refinement of the term's rather blurred conceptual content.

Europeanization, Conditionality and Domestic Change: The Twinning Exercise and Administrative Reform in Romania

A key requirement of the countries of central and eastern Europe (CEECs) that wish to join the EU is that they develop the administrative capacity to implement effectively the acquis communautaire. The 'twinning' programme is designed to assist in this process. Drawing on experiences in Romania, and linking these to debates on Europeanization, this article argues that the success of twinning to date is related to the design of the programme, institutional fluidity and politicization within central administration, the individual agency and the reform commitment of those hosting twinning projects.