A numerical study of reversible plasticity using continuum dislocation mechanics

In this contribution, an elasto-viscoplastic fast Fourier transform-based (EVPFFT) numerical implementation of the Mesoscale Field Dislocation Mechanics (MFDM) formulation, called MFDM-EVPFFT, is applied to study the reversible plastic behavior of periodic two-phase crystalline composites with an elastoviscoplastic plastic matrix and a purely elastic second phase. Periodic laminate microstructures of this kind with different periods (i.e. sizes) are considered to examine the size dependence of the Bauschinger effect and hardening during cyclic loading. Comparisons with classic composite effects obtained with conventional crystal plasticity are discussed. Specifically, the MFDM-EVPFFT results shed light on the hardening mechanisms due to piling-up/unpiling-up of geometrically-necessary dislocations (GND) during reverse loading.