On the mechanical heterogeneity in dual phase steel grades: Activation of slip systems and deformation of martensite in DP800

Abstract We used micropillar compression experiments to study the plasticity of ferrite and martensite of two commercial dual phase steel grades (DP800). The activation of all three slip plane families, namely {110}, {112}, {123}, was observed in single crystalline ferrite pillars. They exhibit a comparable mean critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) of 147 ± 6, 143 ± 9, 146 ± 4 MPa for 3 µm pillars and are predominantly following Schmid´s law. A distinct size effect occurs when comparing the CRSS of 2 µm and 3 µm pillars. Martensite islands show uniform deformation and exhibit high compressive yield strength up to nearly 3 GPa. In most cases martensite pillars deform in an isotropic fashion without distinct slip traces. Despite the identical ultimate tensile stress of two steel grades their ferrite CRSS and martensite strength are largely different. It is found that the softer ferrite results in a lower macroscopic yield strength and a higher elongation to failure during macroscopic tensile testing. The results suggest that an increased local strain hardening capability suppresses global damage. The data provided here can serve as input parameter for crystal plasticity modelling.