Influence of the loading rate of force on the formation of deformation twins in martensitic stainless steel under repetitive loading–unloading process

The effect of loading rate of force in repetitive high stress loading/unloading (RHSL) treatment on the formation of deformation twins in a martensite stainless steel was studied by SEM-EBSD and TEM. It is found that RHSL successfully generates a large number of twins at room temperature with low strain rate and small plastic deformation. The number fraction and area fraction of twin grains are monotonously increased with the loading rate. RHSL provide a continuously driving force that promotes the abundant generation of twins. Higher loading rate favors the more nucleation of stacking faults and twins and their intersections of multi-orientation.