Dislocation structure evolution and its effects on cyclic deformation response of AISI 316L stainless steel

Research highlights: → The cyclic deformation response of AISI 316L steel is investigated at 20 deg. C. → The corresponding microstructure evolution is characterised by electron microscopy. → A 3D representation of dislocation evolution is proposed based on the observation. → The 3D representation gives a good explanation of the microstructure complexity. → The cyclic deformation response is discussed based on the microstructure evolution. - Abstract: The cyclic deformation response of an austenitic stainless steel is characterised in terms of its cyclic peak tensile stress properties by three stages of behaviour: a hardening stage followed by a softening stage, and finally a stable stress response stage. A series of tests have been performed and interrupted at selected numbers of cycles in the different stages of mechanical response. At each interruption point, specimens have been examined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with different beam directions by means of the tilting function in order to investigate the formation and the development of dislocation structures from the as-received condition until the end of fatigue life. A new 3D representation of dislocation structure evolution during cyclic loading is proposed on the basis of the microstructural observations. The 3D representation provides a deeper insight into the development of dislocation structures in AISI 316L during low cycle fatigue loading at room temperature. By investigating the dislocation evolution, the study shows that the hardening response is mainly associated with an increase of total dislocation density, whereas the softening stage is a result of the formation of dislocation-free regions. Further development of the dislocation structure into a cellular structure is responsible for the stable stress response stage.