Cyclic deformation of α-β brass two-phase bicrystals—II. Hardening behavior

The hardening behavior of cyclically deformed α-β brass has been studied in the two-phase bicrystals having phase-interface planes parallel to the stress axis. Tension-compression tests at room temperature were performed under a constant total strain amplitude of ±0.4% to 10³ cycles. The hardening took place rapidly in the initial stages, and then gradually saturated, accompanying the establishment of stable lenticular stress-strain hysteresis loops. The main characteristics of the stable stress-strain curves of the bicrystals could be attributed to the contributions from the intrinsic slip properties of the constituent phase crystals, in particular from those of the β phase with marked dependency on the orientation of the stress axis. Also, the different hardening behavior observed between the specimens could be related to the difference in the slip behavior affected by the degree of strain compatibility across the interface.