Modelling of low cycle fatigue initiation of 316LN based on crystalline plasticity and geometrically necessary dislocations

Initiation of intragranular cracks during low cycle fatigue is governed by complex microstructural phenomena. Depending on the loading amplitude, number of cycles, lattice structure and/or chemical composition, different dislocation structures (veins, cells or Persistent Slip Bands) develop and induce heterogeneous localization of strain and stress in the material. For a better comprehension of crack initiation in 316LN stainless steel, low cycle fatigue tests and numerical simulations were performed. Specimens of 316LN steel with polished shallow notch were cycled with constant loading amplitude and Persistant Slip Bands were identified by SEM observations. In parallel, numerical studies were carried out with the model of cristalline plasticity CristalECP. Simulations were performed on 3D polycristalline aggregates of 316LN steel with the finite elements code Abaqus® and Cast3m® . The results show a heterogeneous localization of strain in bands. For a more precise computation of the mechanical fields and to introdruce a grain size effect, Geometrically Necessary Dislocations were introduced in CristalECP. The GNDs are directly related and computed with the lattice curvature.