  Slip activation, slip band interactions, and GND densities in iron-base,
galling resistant alloy Nitronic 60 have been characterised at the grain length
scale using small-scale mechanical testing with high resolution digital image
correlation and high-angular resolution electron backscatter diffraction. By
correlating the two measurement techniques, new insight into slip band
interactions, the generation of lattice curvature and the corresponding
accumulation of geometrically necessary dislocations (GNDs) is provided.
Multiple discrete slip bands are typically active within single grains,
resulting in significant slip band interactions. Crossing slip bands were found
to generate accumulations of GNDs. Regions where slip bands block other slip
bands were associated with the highest GND densities, in excess of three time
the densities of crossing slip bands. Representative crystal plasticity
modelling investigations have demonstrated that discrete slip blocking events
are responsible for locally elevated GND density. This behaviour is
rationalised in terms of lattice curvature associated with the differing levels
of constraint provided by the crossing or blocking-type behaviours. Ferrite
grains are also found to contribute to the generation of GNDs. Together, these
two effects provide significant work hardening mechanisms, likely to be key to
the development of future iron-base hard facing alloys.
