Strain localization in ductile single crystals

Strain localization in ductile crystals deforming by single slip was analyzed. The plastic flow was modeled as rate-in-sensitive; and localization, viewed as a bifurcation from a homogeneous deformation mode to one which is concentrated in a narrow shear band, was found to be possible only when the plastic hardening modulus for the slip system has fallen to a certain critical value. It is suggested that micromechanical processes such as cross-slip in crystals provide specific cases for which stresses may influence plastic response and, further, there is an experimental association of localization with the onset of large amounts of cross-slip.