Relationship Between Microstructural Evolution, Order-Disorder Transformation and Plastic Inhomogeneties during Deformation of Beta Brass

Abstract

Second order phase transition in β brass has been the focus of researchers for many decades. However, the scientific literature about microstructure and texture evolution in beta brass is scarce. This paper deals with the compression tests performed on the samples of β brass. An extensive experimental study is carried out by different combinations of strains, strain rates and temperatures. Samples are heat treated prior to deformation to see the role of disordering during compression. The microstructural study and energy calculations show the possibility of order/disorder transition in β brass during deformation. The plastic in-homogeneities in β brass can explain by second order phase transition during compression. The calculations also show a relationship between transition and the formation of shear bands.