Cyclic deformation and dynamic compressive properties of copper bicrystals

Cyclic deformation and dynamic compressive tests of three copper bicrystals were carried out on a Shimadzu servo-hydraulic testing machine and a split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) apparatus respectively. The post-deformation dislocation structures, grain boundary (GB) serrations and adiabatic shear bands (ASBs) were examined using electron channeling contrast (ECC) imaging in a scanning electron microscope (SEM). After cyclic straining the secondary slip bands were activated near the GB forming a GB affected zone (GBAZ). Microstructures beneath it are dislocation labyrinth or irregular persistent slip bands (PSBs). The saturation stress at GBAZ was calculated to be higher than that in the grain interior. In dynamic compression, the formation of ASBs, was found to be promoted by the GB. Dynamic stress–strain curves were compared with each other for single crystals, bicrystals and polycrystals. Microstructures were also characterized with orientation imaging microscopy (OIM) by electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) technique. It was found that relatively larger lattice rotations occurred across the ASBs than in the other regions, which can be deduced by the localization of simple shear along ASBs. No recrystallization was found in the ASBs or along GBs in the present circumstance.