Orientation correlation in tensile deformed [0 1 1] Cu single crystals

Local crystallographic orientation of tensile deformed copper single crystals was investigated by the electron backscattering technique. Statistical evaluation of the data reveals the presence of an increased crystallographic correlation at the transition point between stages II and III of work-hardening. The transition state has the lowest probability of finding geometrically necessary dislocations in circular regions of radius smaller than 8 μm. According to the present results and other data showing that the relative fluctuation of the dislocation density has a maximum at the transition point, we conclude that the transition from stages II to III of work-hardening is similar to a second-order phase transformation of the statistical dislocation system.