The Influence of Mechanical Prehistory on the Cyclic Stress-Strain Response and Microstructure of Single-Phase Metallic Materials

Abstract

The influence of a mechanical prehistory on the cyclic stress-strain response was studied using two materials showing wavy (polycrystalline copper) and planar (α-brass) slip character. The specimens were predeformed by monotonic straining in tension up to different values of plastic strain and subsequently cyclically loaded at various constant plastic strain amplitudes. The results are reported and compared with the cyclic deformation behaviour of specimens without predeformation. Differences in the stress—strain response are interpreted in terms of the microstructure observed by transmission electron microscopy.