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The deformation behavior of a ferrite steel with ultrafine‐grained (UFG) lamellar microstructure generated by linear flow splitting is investigated and compared to a coarser cold‐worked reference state, using a set of complementary local deformation and microstructural characterizations methods. The pile‐up around indentations shows a pronounced anisotropy for the UFG lamellar microstructure indicating the relative motion of grains along their elongated boundaries. This observation is confirmed by stepwise compression testing of micropillars along the normal direction of lamellar‐shaped grains using a new faceted pillar geometry to image the initial microstructure and its evolution throughout the test. The surface roughening in pillar compression testing can be categorized into the formation of discrete steps at the surface along particular grain boundaries and a more gradual roughening that is attributed to intragranular dislocation slip. Potential mechanisms for the observed grain boundary sliding are discussed taking several factors such as the strain rate sensitivity and potential Coble creep rates into account. In conclusion, a grain boundary sliding process carried by grain boundary dislocations appears to be the most likely explanation for the observed behavior.

Special Issue: Dedicated to Reinhard Pippan on the Occasion of his 70th Birthday