The Effect of Strain Rate and Temperature on Yielding in Steels

Abstract

The effect of elastic strain rates ranging from 10−14 to 10 sec−1 and temperatures ranging from 200 K (−100 F) to 590 K (600 F) on the yield strength of several steels is reported. The steels utilized are a 1018 mild steel, 4340 steel, H-11 tool steel, and 300 grade maraging steel. The results are interpreted in terms of the Cottrell-Bilby yielding model based on release of dislocations from locking carbon atmospheres. The results for all of the materials except the maraging steel are consistent with this model if it is modified to account for relocking of dislocations by migration of carbon atoms. The maraging steel shows a constant strain rate sensitivity at a constant temperature, over the range of strain rates investigated. This rate sensitivity decreases with increasing temperature and at 590 K (600 F) a decreasing strength with increasing strain rate is found. This is attributed to stress aging effects.