High Strain Rate Behaviour of Iron and Nickel

Abstract

An investigation into the mechanical behaviour of iron and nickel at high strain rates is carried out, using a split Hopkinson bar method. Some special adaptations, a correction method for the effects arising from the adiabatic conditions of dynamic deformation and a simplified data processing procedure are described in detail. The test conditions covered a range of strain rates between 500 and about 10 000/s and temperatures from 20 to 500°C. For both metals, the results are presented by means of a family of true stress-true strain curves. The strong strain rate sensitivity at high strain rates indicates that the rate controlling mechanism differs from that operative at ‘static’ strain rates.