X-RAY-DIFFRACTION ANALYSIS OF SUBSTRUCTURES IN PLASTICALLY DEFORMED BCC MATERIALS

A procedure for line-shape analysis of broadened X-ray (or neutron) di ffraction peaks is presented and specified for b.c.c. materials, which takes into account the effect of interfaces, internal stress of the 2 nd kind and a dislocation distribution with weak defect correlation. A pplication of the technique is demonstrated by the estimation of dislo cation densities in plastically deformed a-iron and steel. The results confirm that X-ray line-broadening analysis is suitable for integrate d substructure characterization, but it becomes also evident that loca l structural inhomogeneity and the texture of the sample material must carefully included into the interpretation of experimental data.