Effect of loading mode on the microstructural heterogeneity of ultra-fine-grained iron

Abstract

This manuscript analyzes the microstructural changes introduced by both monotonic tensile and cyclic loads in ultrafine-grained Armco iron obtained after severe plastic deformation by equal channel angular pressing. The processed material experienced different microstructural gradients depending on the type of load applied. For example, cyclic loads gave rise to grain size and misorientations gradients, while monotonic tensile loads created dislocation and grain size gradients depending on the measurement direction.