A Dynamic Mechanical Analysis of T2 Copper at High Strain Rates

Abstract

This work compares the pure copper (T2 copper)’s stress-strain relationship at different strain rates in the uni-axial tension test and Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB) test. Small samples were utilized in the high strain rate SHPB test in which the accuracy was modified by numerical simulation. The experimental results showed that the T2 copper’s yield strength at high strain rates largely outweighed the quasi static yield strength. The flow stress in the stress-strain curves at different strain rates appeared to be divergent and increased with the increase in strain rates, showing great strain strengthening and strain rate hardening effects. Metallographic observation showed that the microstructure of T2 copper changed from equiaxed grains to twins and the interaction between the dislocation slip zone grain boundary and twins promoted the super plasticity distortion in T2 copper.