Low-strain fatigue in AISI 316L steel surface grains:: a three-dimensional discrete dislocation dynamics modelling of the early cycles -: I.: Dislocation microstructures and mechanical behaviour

The early stages of the formation of dislocation microstructures in low-strain fatigue are analysed, using three-dimensional discrete dislocation dynamics modelling. Simulations under various conditions of loading amplitude and grain size have been performed. Both the dislocation microstructures and the associated mechanical behaviour are accurately reproduced in single-slip as well as in double-slip loading conditions. The microstructures thus obtained are analysed quantitatively, in terms of number of slip bands per grain, band thickness and band spacing. The simulations show the crucial role of cross-slip both for the initial spreading of strain inside the grain and for the subsequent strain localization in the form of slip bands. A complete and detailed scheme for the persistent slip band formation is proposed, from the observation of the numerical dislocation arrangements.