Yielding transitions and grain-size effects in dislocation theory.

The statistical-thermodynamic dislocation theory developed in previous papers is used here in an analysis of yielding transitions and grain-size effects in polycrystalline solids. Calculations are based on the 1995 experimental results of Meyers, Andrade, and Chokshi [Metall. Mater. Trans. A 26, 2881 (1995)MMTAEB1073-562310.1007/BF02669646] for polycrystalline copper under strain-hardening conditions. The main assertion is that the well-known Hall-Petch effects are caused by enhanced strengths of dislocation sources at the edges of grains instead of the commonly assumed resistance to dislocation flow across grain boundaries. The theory describes rapid transitions between elastic and plastic deformation at yield points; thus it can be used to predict grain-size dependence of both yield stresses and flow stresses.