Plastic deformation modes in paramagnetic gamma-Fe from longitudinal spin fluctuation theory

• Using an efficient first-principles computational scheme, we calculate the intrinsic stacking fault energy (gamma(isf) ) and the unstable stacking fault energy (gamma(usf)) of paramagnetic gamma-Fe as a function of temperature. The formation energies are derived from free energies accounting for thermal longitudinal spin fluctuations (LSFs). LSFs are demonstrated to be important for the accurate description of the temperature-dependent magnetism, intrinsic and unstable stacking fault energies, and have a comparatively large effect on gamma(isf) of gamma-Fe. Dominated by the magneto-volume coupling at thermal excitations, gamma(isf) of gamma-Fe exhibits a positive correlation with temperature, while gamma(usf )declines with increasing temperature. The predicted stacking fault energy of gamma-Fe is negative at static condition, crosses zero around 540 K, and reaches 71.0 mJ m(-2) at 1373 K, which is in good agreement with the experimental value. According to the plasticity theory formulated in terms of the intrinsic and unstable stacking fault energies, twinning remains a possible deformation mode even at elevated temperatures. Both the large positive temperature slope of gamma(usf) and the predicted high-temperature twinning are observed in the case of austenitic stainless steels.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Materialteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Materials Engineering (hsv//eng)

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Spin fluctuations

Stacking-fault energy

Paramagnetism

gamma-Fe

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)