Revealing crystal neighbourhood effects in transforming steels using 3D X-ray diffraction

Scanning Three-Dimensional X-ray Diffraction (S3DXRD) and Diffraction Contrast Tomography will be employed to provide new micromechanical insights on the deformation-induced phase transformations in TRIP steels. These steels have exceptional ductility and strength, making them candidate materials for automotive structural components. However, the mechanisms responsible for their properties are complex and not well understood. Observing in-situ deformation in 3D will provide a new capability to measure and understand how stress localisation and grain neighbour interactions trigger or supress twinning and/or phase transformations. The proposal is complementary to far-field 3DXRD investigations at Diamond Light Source, which we are leading. It will deliver a greater understanding of the relationship between localised crystallography, grain morphology, mechanical state, position and neighbouring crystal environment of austenite grains during their transformation to the martensite phase.