A methodology to obtain data at the slip-band scale from atomic force microscopy observations and crystal plasticity simulations. Application to hydrogen-induced slip localization on AISI 316L stainless steel

A local approach coupling atomic force microscopy (AFM) observations and polycrystal finite element calculations is proposed to provide data at the slip-band scale. From AFM measurements of slip bands emerging at the specimen surface during tensile loading, and from numerical results of strain fields at the grain scale, the method is able to determine at the local discrete scale the mean slip-band spacing and the number of dislocations emerging during the plastic strain. The methodology applied in the hydrogen embrittlement context highlights, quantitatively, at the grain scale an increased plastic strain localization with internal hydrogen. (C) 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.