DEVELOPMENT OF LOCALIZED ORIENTATION GRADIENTS IN FCC POLYCRYSTALS

A finite-element formulation which derives constitutive response from crystal plasticity theory is used to examine localized deformation in fee polycrystals. The polycrystals are (simple) idealized three-dimens ional arrangements of grains, and many elements per grain. Non-uniform deformations within individual grains lead to the development of doma ins that are separated by boundaries of high misorientation. Also, loc alized shearing is seen to occur on a microscopic scale of grain dimen sions. The important consequence of these simulations is that the pred icted local inhomogeneities are meeting various requirements that make them possible nucleation sites for recrystallization.