Crystal plasticity modeling of prior austenite orientation effects on deformation behaviors of martensitic steels under different strain paths

• Hierarchical martensitic microstructure model was constructed based on fine-tuned Kurdjumov-Sachs relation. • Material parameters were calibrated by combining analytical calculations and inverse methods. • Cube-orientated prior austenite renders more homogeneous deformation in martensite. • Cube-orientated prior austenite enhances strain hardening under plane strain tension. The influence of prior austenite grain (PAG) orientation on the deformation behavior of a low-carbon martensitic steel is investigated using crystal plasticity (CP) modeling with hierarchical representative volume elements (RVEs). The Kurdjumov-Sachs (K-S) relationship is refined for accurate PAG reconstruction in martensitic steel. A robust calibration strategy for CP parameters based on nanoindentation tests is developed by integrating analytical calculations with inverse methods. Virtual polycrystalline aggregates are subsequently generated by manipulating initial PAG orientations. The simulations reveal that assigning cube texture to PAGs enhances strain hardening of martensite under plane strain tension. Moreover, the RVEs with brass and copper orientated PAGs exhibit similar deformation behavior, and a more homogeneous strain distribution is realized in the RVE with PAG cube orientation. The influence of PAG orientation on stress and strain fields is correlated with lattice rotation behavior during deformation. Notably, different strain paths elicit distinct lattice rotation trajectories, wherein uniaxial tension and plane strain tension favor grains reorientation toward hard γ -fiber , whilst equi-biaxial tension drives the crystal matrix to concentrate on 〈 001 〉 and 〈 011 〉 directions. These findings provide insights into the intricate relationship between microstructural orientation and deformation behavior in martensitic steels, which is crucial for performance optimization.