Constitutive description of dynamic deformation: physically-based mechanisms

Abstract

The response of metals to high-strain-rate deformation is successfully described by physically-based mechanisms which incorporate dislocation dynamics, twinning, displacive (martensitic) phase transformations, grain-size, stacking fault, and solution hardening effects. Several constitutive equations for slip have emerged, the most notable being the Zerilli–Armstrong and MTS. They are based on Becker's and Seeger's concepts of dislocations overcoming obstacles through thermal activation. This approach is illustrated for tantalum and it is shown that this highly ductile metal can exhibit shear localization under low temperature and high-strain-rate deformation, as predicted from the Zerilli–Armstrong equation. A constitutive equation is also developed for deformation twinning. The temperature and strain-rate sensitivity for twinning are lower than for slip; on the other hand, its Hall–Petch slope is higher. Thus, the strain rate affects the dominating deformation mechanisms in a significant manner, which can be quantitatively described. Through this constitutive equation it is possible to define a twinning domain in the Weertman–Ashby plot; this is illustrated for titanium. A constitutive description developed earlier and incorporating the grain-size dependence of yield stress is summarized and its extension to the nanocrystalline range is implemented. Computational simulations enable the prediction of work hardening as a function of grain size; the response of polycrystals is successfully modeled for the 50 nm–100 m range. The results of shock compression experiments at pulse durations of 3–10 ns (this is two–three orders less than gas-gun experiments) are presented. They prove that the defect structure is generated at the shock front; the substructures observed are similar to the ones at much larger durations. A mechanism for dislocation generation is presented, providing a constitutive description of plastic deformation. The dislocation densities are calculated which are in agreement with observations. The threshold stress for deformation twinning in shock compression is calculated from the constitutive equations for slip, twinning, and the Swegle–Grady relationship.