Discontinuous Yielding of Fe E420 under High Strain Rate Loading

The discontinuous yielding behaviour of Fe E420 steel was experimentally investigated through tensile tests conducted on laminated sheets. In order to assess the response under both quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions, uniaxial tensile tests were performed according to ASTM E8 standards, and dynamic tests were conducted on the Hopkinson bar using a specially designed flat specimen. Three nominal strain rates (2×10−4, 500, and 1000) s−1 were considered. The effect of heat treatment on the material was also considered. For this purpose, the proposed experimental campaign was carried out on both the as-is material and on one treated by water quenching. All dynamic tests were performed with the direct tensile split Hopkinson pressure bar and were recorded via a high frame rate camera. The post failure fracture surfaces were investigated using scanning electron microscopy technique.