Microscopic deformation of polycrystalline pure copper wire during tension

In order to clarify the inhomogeneous deformation of thin copper wire, an interrupted tensile test was carried out on the stage of the digital holographic microscope (DHM). The inhomogeneity was evaluated based on the non-uniform change in height distribution on the surface of thin wire specimen during the test. Microscopic plastic deformation by a unit of crystal grain and large gradient in height distribution along grain boundaries were observed. The increase in average height of grain between two earlier loading steps corresponded to that between two later loading steps. This result suggests that the microscopic deformation at the latter stage of tension is predictable from that at the early stage of the tension.