The Strain Rate Sensitive Flow Stresses and Constitutive Equations of a Selective-Laser and an Annealed-Rolled 316l Stainless Steel: a Comparative Study

Abstract

The strain rate dependent compressive flow stresses of a Selective-Laser-Melt 316L (SLM-316L) alloy and a commercial (annealed-extruded) 316L (C-316L) alloy were determined, for comparison, between 1x10-4 and ∼2500 s-1 and between 1x10-4 and ∼2800 s-1, respectively. The Johnson and Cook flow stress material model parameters of both alloys were also determined. The microstructural examinations of the deformed cross-sections of tested specimens (interrupted tests) showed a twinning-induced-plasticity in SLM-316L alloy and a martensitic transformation-induced-plasticity in C-316L alloy. Twin and martensite formations were detected microscopically higher in the dynamically tested specimens until about 0.22 strain, while the twin and martensite formations decreased at increasing strains due to adiabatic heating. The rate sensitivity of SLM-316L was determined slightly higher than that of C-316L within the quasi-static strain rate range (1x10-4 and 1x10-2 s-1), while the rate sensitivities of both alloys were similar in the quasi-static-high strain rate range (1x10-4 and ∼2500-2800 s-1) at low strains. A more rapid decrease in the rate sensitivity of C-316L at increasing strains was found in the quasi-static-high strain rate range. The similar activation volumes of both alloys, corresponding to the dislocation intersections, indicated a similar thermally activated deformation process involvement in both alloys.