“Bridging length scales in polycrystal plasticity by quantitative measurements of localized deformation mechanisms”
Complex applications in modern technology urgently call for advanced structural materials that are high strength and light-weight, and yet tolerant to damage from extreme temperature, particle radiation, or environmental exposure. To swiftly fulfill these emerging demanding material requirements, we must develop a multi-scale understanding of the relationship between processing, microstructure, and properties in metallic materials. Toward these goals, a modern High-Resolution Electron Backscatter Diffraction (HR-EBSD) technique that offers the capability to measure the deformation and microstructural evolution of material at the micro-scale is utilized. I will present our recent findings on how the macroscopic strength of magnesium alloys is dictated by local microstructure features such as barrier strength of specific grain boundaries to specific slip systems measured by HR-EBSD. I will conclude my talk by discussing how such an understanding can be implemented into multi-scale modeling tools to predict the deformation of the material and accelerate the advancement in the designing of the next generation of materials.
