Influence of Sn on deformation mechanisms during room temperature compression of binary Zr-Sn alloys

Role of Sn on the deformation mechanisms of Zr was investigated undertaking in situ compression loading experiments using neutron diffraction and complementary post mortem electron microscopy. Fully recrystallised binary Zr-Sn alloys, displaying a typical rolling + recrystallisation texture, were studied in situ to determine intergranular strain development, monitor peak intensity changes indicative of twinning, and peak broadening indicative of increased dislocation density. Significant {101¯2}〈101¯1〉 type tensile twinning activity was observed for all samples during compression loading. The critical stress for the twin nucleation and the extent of twinning were found to be strongly influenced by the Sn content. Critical plastic strain for the nucleation of twining, however, was observed to be weakly dependent on the Sn content. Results demonstrate significant plastic slip activity to be a necessary condition for the onset of twinning regardless of the Sn content.