Texture and lattice strain evolution in a pearlitic steel during shear deformation: An in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction study

In-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction experiments were conducted on the pearlitic steel sample with a carbon content of 0.74% by weight. Specimens were subjected to uniaxial loading that induced shear deformation and two-dimensional diffraction patterns were acquired. The evolution of the lattice microstrain and the strain-resolved crystallographic texture development of both ferrite (α-BCC) and cementite (θ-orthorhombic) phases were followed. The analysis revealed that the texture changed from {110}<113>_α to {113}<121>_α component and then, stabilized at {013}<uvw>_α orientations. The θ phase exhibited a weak texture in the {100, 010, and 001}_θ family planes. Additionally, it was revealed that the nucleation of interfacial defects at the α/θ interface promotes the amorphization of cementite and the activation of slip systems in less densely packed {310}_α planes. The influence of microstructural changes on mechanical properties is discussed.