Abstract
A new method is described for examining the deformation dynamics of metals at elevated temperatures. Tensile loads are applied to a specimen using a closed loop electrohydraulic servosystem. An optical furnace and proportional controller are used for temperature control, and a linear variable differential transformer is used to sense specimen length. System control is found to be sufficient to perform several new types of tests, and permits a more fundamental reexamination of the stress relaxation and strain rate sensitivity tests.