Influence of surface pre-deformation on the Portevin-Le Chatelier effect and the related multiscale complexity of plastic flow in an Al-Mg alloy

TL;DR

This study investigates how surface pre-deformation influences the Portevin-Le Chatelier effect and multiscale plastic flow in an Al-Mg alloy, revealing surface treatments can modify jerky flow and strain localization across scales.

Contribution

It introduces a comprehensive multiscale analysis combining tensile tests, digital image correlation, and acoustic emission to understand surface effects on the PLC effect in Al-Mg alloys.

Findings

Surface pre-deformation enhances yield strength without reducing ductility.

SMAT modifies plastic flow behavior at mesoscopic and smaller scales.

Delocalization of plastic bursts occurs with surface treatment, affecting jerky flow.

Abstract

The influence of the surface pre-deformation on jerky flow caused by the Portevin-Le Chatelier (PLC) effect was investigated using flat tensile specimens of an Al-Mg alloy. Although jerky flow represents a macroscopic plastic instability, the underlying mechanisms stem from self-organization of dislocations, which pertains to deformation processes at mesoscopic scales. To provide a comprehensive approach, the investigation was carried out by coupling tensile tests, digital image correlation and acoustic emission techniques, each targeting a particular range of scales. Thin superficial layers were pre-deformed using surface mechanical attrition technique (SMAT). It was found that the observed effects depend on which surfaces are processed. Overall, the treated samples exhibited an enhanced yield strength without deterioration of ductility in comparison with the initial material. These changes in the general mechanical behavior are likely to be correlated with the changes in jerky flow. Using digital image correlation, a tendency to delocalization of bursts of plastic flow was found for both the PLC bands and smaller-scale strain heterogeneities outside the bands, the latter having been little studied so far. Unexpectedly, SMAT occurred to modify plastic flow drastically at this scale. In addition to clarification of the role played by the surface in the PLC effect, these findings provide new insights into relationships between deformation processes at distinct scales.