A Stochastic Model for the Interaction of Plasticity and Creep in Metals

Summary

Describing the basic mechanisms for plastic deformations in crystalline materials by transition probabilities of a stochastic matrix over the state space of the internal barriers, results in a stochastic model which has the properties of a Markov-chain. It is possible to include in this model properties of the internal structure of the material and their changes during macroscopic deformation processes, such as hardening and recovery, or the influence of temperature on thermal activation. This description can be based on findings from metal physics and metallurgy, so that the stochastic model can be used as an intermediate model between the microscopic and the macroscopic description of the processes during plastic deformations.