Modeling of microscopic strain heterogeneity during wire drawing of pearlite

An original strategy is proposed in order to perform computationally affordable, direct micro-to-macro simulations of metal forming operations. The model is implemented as a user-defined material law in the abaqus finite element code. This allows accounting for the evolving microstructure in both single and multiphase metallic alloys undergoing large plastic deformation. The model is used here to predict strength and texture development in pearlitic steel. At the scale of individual lamellae, stress equilibrium is enforced across cementite-ferrite interfaces and plasticity is achieved by dislocation glide. Three hypotheses are tested about the interaction of adjacent colonies, including a simplified - so called "multisite"- modeling of the stress and strain partitioning on either sides of planar grain boundary segments. The latter approach gives rise to a slower and more realistic prediction of the texture development and the progressive alignment of cementite lamellae with the loading axis. (C) 2018 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.