Characteristics of nucleation and transformation sequence in deformation-induced martensitic transformation

To elucidate the characteristics of the nucleation and transformation of deformation-induced martensitic transformation, detailed characterisations were performed during quasi-in-situ tensile deformation. Two possible transformation scenarios were simultaneously observed and investigated in detail. epsilon-Martensite initiated within the slip band is the most preferential nucleation site instead of slip band intersections as assumed in the classical theory. The correlation between the two transformation sequences is discussed and associated with strain and stress conditions. Characteristics of the nucleation and transformation sequence upon deformation are compared to thermal martensitic transformation; systematic similarity is discovered, implying the underlying shared nature of thermal and mechanical stabilities.