Characterisation of transgranular crack propagation by EBSD in a soft steel

This study is concerned with crack propagation in a soft steel sheet during drawing. The drawability is considered in relation with the structural anisotropy. Most existing studies on crack propagation are based on the global mechanical properties. However, microstructural inhomogeneity can lead to micro-crack formation. Micro-texture can affect crack propagation and stops in soft steel during drawing. The EBSD technique is used to show that the adjustment of the grain orientation from the initial recrystallization component {111} towards the deformation orientation {111} incites a trans-granular crack inside a {111} grain in a globally ductile material.