Experimental analysis of plastic deformation of steel grains Comparison with polycrystal models predictions

An accurate description of the evolution of the lattice rotation and local strain fields within grains of 30 μn diameter of a steel polycrystal submitted to a monotonous deformation is given. The tensile tests were performed up to 27% with steps of 7%. For each state of deformation, the local strain fields within 400 grains were measured by microextensometry and stereographic techniques. The evolution of the crystallographic orientation of 80 grains was obtained by electron back scattering diffraction (EBSD) simultaneously. The results point out large intergranular and intragranular inhomogeneities of the strain and velocity field inside small grains polycrystal, but also deformation bands. Predictions given by a self consistent model are compared with these experimental data.