Kolsky Compression Bar Experiments on Ductile Materials

Abstract

Ductile materials initially deform elastically and then plastically to large strains. The material stiffness is quite different in elasticity and plasticity. Experiment design may be focused on the response in either elasticity or plasticity, but mostly in the latter. This chapter describes the distinct characteristics of ductile materials, introduces a compound pulse shaper to maintain constant plastic strain rates. Examples are then given with the specimen materials being metals, a shape-memory alloy, an alumina particle- filled epoxy, and a lead-free solder.