An experimental study using neutron diffraction quantified the evolution of twinning in pure clock-rolled Zr that was subsequently deformed under uniaxial compression. The clock rolling introduced an initial texture of approximately 5 times random, and the compression specimens were cut with their loading axes nearly parallel to the predominant c-axes direction. Seven specimens deformed to strains of between −2 and −17% and an undeformed specimen (0% strain) were examined. The deformation was performed at an applied strain rate of 0.001/s at 77K. Twin volume fractions were estimated from diffraction data. Changes in texture and twin volume fractions were compared to predictions from a visco-plastic self-consistent polycrystal model, which described both slip and twinning. This demonstrated the feasibility of using neutron diffraction to track the evolution of twinning. These results helped benchmark the polycrystalline model, validated the description of twinning, and potentially led to a better understanding of its role in hardening.

A Study of Twinning in Zirconium Using Neutron Diffraction. P.Rangaswamy, M.A.M.Bourke, D.W.Brown, G.C.Kaschner, R.B.Rogge, M.G.Stout, C.N.Tomé: Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A, 2002, 33[3A], 757-63