Effects of texture, temperature and strain on the deformation modes of zirconium

Abstract

Clock-rolled, high-purity, textured polycrystalline zirconium exhibits significant plastic anisotropy for compression along the through-thickness and in-plane directions and strong temperature dependence of flow stress for both orientations. Orientation imaging microscopy in a scanning electron microscope and defect analysis via transmission electron microscopy are used to characterize the defect microstructures as a function of initial texture, deformation temperature and plastic strain. The observed deformation mechanisms are correlated with the measured mechanical response.

Acknowledgements

This research is supported by the Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Program FWP 06SCPE401. Authors acknowledge discussions with I. Beyerlein, M. Baskes, S. Srinivasan, B. Clausen and G. Proust.