Dislocation structures formed during the cyclic deformation at room temperature in vacuo of a 316L-type austenitic stainless steel were considered. It was shown that for this material, having the rather low stacking-fault energy of some 28mJ/m2, the dislocation structures exhibited a planar slip or wavy slip nature, depending on the cyclic plastic strain amplitude. In particular the existence of wall and channel, labyrinth or ladder structures was shown. These structures evolved progressively into cells during extensive cycling in vacuo. The volume fraction of each type of structure was evaluated quantitatively as a function of the cyclic plastic strain level and the number of cycles throughout the fatigue life in vacuo.

Evolution of Dislocation Structures and Cyclic Behaviour of a 316L-Type Austenitic Stainless Steel Cycled in Vacuo at Room Temperature. M.Gerland, J.Mendez, P.Violan, B.Ait Saadi: Materials Science and Engineering A, 1989, 118, 83-95