Shear localization in dynamic deformation of copper single crystals

Dynamic deformation of copper single crystals, especially of fatigued copper single crystals with different orientations, was conducted on a split-Hopkinson pressure bar apparatus. The strain rates were in the range 2 9 103 s1. After dynamic deformation, the adiabatic shear bands (ASBs) were examined in a light microscope and SEM. The width and spacing of ASBs formed under different strain rates in a fatigued copper single crystal were measured and the spacing of ASBs is one-order of magnitude smaller than the theoretical predictions. The possible reasons for the discrepancy were discussed. The critical strains for the ASB formation in four different orientated single crystals at stain rate of about 4 103 s1 were determined by examining the post-deformation specimens and dynamic stress–strain curves. It is clearly indicated that the critical strains for the ASB formation are orientation-dependent in copper single crystals. A simple microscopic mechanism for ASB formation in fatigued single crystals was proposed. 1