In-depth quantitative analysis of the microstructures produced by Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment (SMAT)

• Published in: Materials characterization Vol. 83; pp. 129 - 138
• Main Authors: SAMIH, Y, BEAUSIR, B, BOLLE, B, GROSDIDIER, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier 01.09.2013
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Attrition; Austenitic stainless steels; BACKSCATTERING; Chemical Sciences; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Deformation; DENSITY; Electron back scatter diffraction; ELECTRON DIFFRACTION; Engineering Sciences; Exact sciences and technology; GRAIN REFINEMENT; Grains; Heat resistant steels; LAYERS; Material chemistry; MATERIALS SCIENCE; Mechanical properties and methods of testing. Rheology. Fracture mechanics. Tribology; Metals. Metallurgy; MICROSTRUCTURE; Phase diagrams and microstructures developed by solidification and solid-solid phase transformations; Physics; PLASTICITY; Quantitative analysis; Solidification; STAINLESS STEELS; SURFACES; THICKNESS; Vibration; Grain size; Chemical analysis; Electron diffraction; Mechanical properties; Surface treatments; Plastic deformation; SMAT; Stainless steels; EBSD; Mechanical treatment; Stainless steel; Microstructure; GND; Grain refinement; Quantitative chemical analysis
• ISSN: 1044-5803; 1873-4189
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matchar.2013.06.006

Electron BackScattered Diffraction (EBSD) maps are used to characterize quantitatively the graded microstructure formed by Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment (SMAT) and applied here to the 316L stainless steel. In particular, the analysis of GNDs - coupled with relevant and reliable criteria - was used to depict the thickness of each zone identified in the SMAT-affected layers: (i) the "ultrafine grain" (UFG) zone present at the extreme top surface, (ii), the "transition zone" where grains were fragmented under the heavy plastic deformation and, finally, (iii) the "deformed zone" where initial grains are simply deformed. The interest of this procedure is illustrated through the comparative analysis of the effect of some SMAT processing parameters (amplitude of vibration and treatment duration). The UFG and transition zones are more significantly modified than the overall affected thickness under our tested conditions.