Strain-Rate Dependence of the Tensile Failure of a Polycrystalline Material at Elevated Temperatures

Abstract

A general discussion is presented of the failure modes which can occur in uniaxial tensile tests of a polyphase, polycrystalline material at various strain rates at elevated temperatures. Specific results in the temperature range 0.56–0.70Tm are given using Type 316 stainless steel as a representative material. The intrinsic plastic failure is determined solely by plastic deformation, leading first to necking and concluding by separation at a point. However, this intrinsic plastic failure may be interrupted at relatively high strain rates by the formation of cracks at inclusions within the neck. At low strain rates the onset of appreciable necking is postponed and the whole failure process is determined by intergranular crack formation. At intermediate strain rates intergranular cracks form within the neck, and a shear mode of failure is possible. Some conclusions regarding future studies are included.