Effect of Surface Nanocrystals on the Plastic Deformation Behavior in Micro Compression

When the geometry of metal specimen is scaled down to micro scale, it is difficult to predict the plastic deformation behavior because of size effects. In this paper, the object is focused on the effect of surface nanocrystals on the plastic deformation behavior in micro scale. Micro cylinders of pure copper with surface nanocrystals were prepared through oxidation treatment. Then the effect of surface nanocrystals on the plastic deformation behavior in micro compression was studied. It indicated that the flow stress increases with the decrease of specimen size. The experimental results provide an in-depth understanding of size effect of surface nanocrystals on plastic deformation behavior in micro scale.