A robust nano-indentation modeling method for ion-irradiated FCC single crystals using strain-gradient crystal plasticity theory and particle swarm optimization algorithm

Abstract

Addressing the challenge of identifying an appropriate set of material and irradiation parameters for accurate simulation models using crystal plasticity finite element method (CPFEM), this study proposes a novel two-stage method for nano-indentation modeling of ion-irradiated face-centered cubic (FCC) materials. It includes implementing the strain-gradient crystal plasticity (SGCP) theory with irradiation effects and the calibration of simulation parameters using the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm with experimental data. The proposed method consists of two stages: establishing CPFEM without irradiation effects in stage 1 and modeling irradiation effects based on CPFEM in stage 2. Modeling the nano-indentation test of ion-irradiated stainless steel 304 (SS304) using real experimental data is conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed method. The accuracy of the calibration method using PSO is verified through comparisons between simulation and experimental results for force-indentation depth and hardness-indentation depth relationships under both unirradiated and irradiated conditions. Moreover, effect of ion-irradiation on the mechanical behavior during the nano-indentation of single crystal SS304 is also examined to demonstrate that the proposed method is a powerful approach for nano-indentation modeling of ion-irradiated FCC single crystals using SGCP theory and the PSO algorithm.

Keywords

• Crystal plasticity
• Ion-irradiation
• Particle swarm optimization
• Parameter calibration
• Nano-indentation
• Stainless steel 304