This study investigates the influence of strain rate on plastic deformation developed in the flange of a steel road barrier. This effect can be investigated by the use of the uniaxial tensile test. It was found that the strain rate increases yield as well as ultimate strength and gently drops down the elongation at break. Moreover, the accelerated strain rate is connected with matrix heating and increasing the Taylor–Quinney coefficient. Despite the valuable matrix heating and the higher Taylor–Quinney coefficient at the higher strain rates, samples necking is initiated earlier and dislocation density is higher. Flange grains become preferentially aligned along the direction of uniaxial stress, especially at the higher plastic strains. Finally, surface Zn protective layer delamination is initiated quite early beyond the yielding. It is considered that the cracks are due to the different response of the Zn allayer and underlying steel matrix on the plastic straining. Increasing strain rate attenuates the degree of Zn layer delamination.
