Characterization of work-hardening evolution in hexagonal metals using mean slip distance normalized with inter-obstacle spacing

The quantitative determination of the mean slip distance is the basis for the new constitutive relation that encompass slip-based parameters which are determined by precise fitting the functional form to the measured work-hardening evolution. This replicating procedure appears to apply to cases where non-monotonic work-hardening is evident but in such cases more than two fit-loci are required. The extrapolation of such loci to define the matrix strength for the composite structure involving mechanical twins can predict the upper-limit volume fraction of twins present. Comparison with other means of microstructural determinations directly correlates the observed mechanistic changes with the mechanical response. Normalization of the mean slip distance with the inter-obstacle spacing is found to be independent of the strength of obstacle and the evolving texture. Hence its plot can delineate the critical strain locations and supplement this data with quantitative values with respect to volume fraction of twinning.