Comparison of Hall–Petch Law with an Elastic Limit Identification Method Using Kinematic Field Measurements

The article explores the comparison of the Hall–Petch Law with an elastic limit identification method using kinematic field measurements to understand the mechanical properties of materials at the microstructure scale. It delves into the influence of microstructural features on heterogeneous deformation and localized plasticity, highlighting the challenges of applying the Hall–Petch relationship at the local scale. The study introduces a straightforward method for identifying local elastic limits through full-field strain measurements, bypassing the need for complex constitutive models. This approach is validated through experiments on AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel, where the microstructure is characterized, and full-field strain fields are analyzed. The method enables the identification of the onset of plasticity activation and local elastic limits at the grain scale, providing a statistical analysis of the identified elastic limits classified by grain sizes, both with and without considering twins.