Microband-To-Microshear Band Transition near Grain Boundaries in BCC Steel

Compression tests were performed on Fe-3%Si specimens with few grains. The deformation microstructure and microtexture were investigated by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and related to the initial crystal orientation and grain boundary characteristics. Groups of microbands were found that are characterised by a periodic change in crystal orientation, shear at the grain boundary, and the formation of new grains. It is supposed that these microband groups represent an early stage of microshear band development.