An Experimental Evaluation of Energy Absorption of TRIP Steel by Small Punch Test

Abstract

TRIP steel possesses high strength and excellent ductility. In addition, it is possible that TRIP steel indicates high energy absorption so that TRIP steel is expected to apply to automotive members. To design the members made of TRIP steel, it is important to clarify its energy absorption characteristic at various deformation rates. In the previous study, the energy absorption characteristic of TRIP steel is evaluated by J-integral under quasi-static to dynamic condition by using a thick specimen based on ASTM standard. However, by using such thick specimens, it is difficult to conduct the three-point bending test under impact condition because of high ductility in TRIP steel. A small punch (SP) test is the experimental method which can evaluate fracture parameters such as J-integral. By using a conventional use of small specimen in the SP test, it is possible to evaluate J-integral of TRIP steel under impact deformation. In this study, energy absorption characteristic of TRIP steel is investigated by SP test under different deflection rates. Then, the relationship between the values of J-integral obtained by previously conducted three-point bending test and the SP test of TRIP steel is discussed.