Influence of temperature and strain rate on slip and twinning behavior of zr

The stress-strain behavior of pure Zr was studied systematically at various temperatures and strain rates. At 76 K, Zr deforms predominantly by twinning, whereas above room temperature (RT), slip is the controlling deformation mode. A transition in the rate-controlling deformation mode from slip to twinning has been observed to occur at intermediate temperatures during the course of plastic deformation. Above 373 K, slip dominates the entire course of deformation. The transition from slip to twinning in the stress-strain behavior is linked to differing strain-hardening rates and temperature sensitivities of the two deformation modes.