Modelling anisotropic hardening of an ultra low carbon high strength steel using crystal plasticity

While modelling single crystal deformation, often the hardening behaviour is approximated using a power law type hardening equation, the coefficients of which are determined by fitting predicted stress–strain curve to experimental stress–strain curve in the uniaxial tension. Also, in the literature, for BCC material either 24 or 48 slip systems have been considered with mixed conclusions. In this work, the suitability of such phenomenologically determined coefficients and the effect of using 24 and 48 slip systems on prediction capability for anisotropic hardening of an ultra low carbon interstitial free high strength steel observed during in-plane biaxial tension tests were assessed. It was found that, though there was some difference between the results for 24 and 48 slip systems, neither 24 nor 48 slip systems could predict the deformation behaviour accurately for all the cases considered.