Mechanisms and empirical equations for deformation and some principles of alloy design

Abstract

Some aspects of the deformation behaviour of solids at very high, moderately high and low strain rates are discussed. In the very high strain rate region, deformation equations and the physics of the shock front are analysed to propose a route to lower energy dissipation at the shock front. In the moderately high strain rate region, alloy design principles for maximizing the deformation resistance are outlined. In the low strain rate region, an analysis of the physical basis for the power law creep equation is presented. Some physical arguments are presented as a rationale for the high stress exponents and activation energies often observed in particle-strengthened alloys. The additivity of strain rates by various mechanisms is also briefly discussed.