State of the art methods to post-process mechanical test data to characterize the hot deformation behavior of metals

Abstract

Materials engineering and science rely heavily on the indirect measurement of plastic stress and strain by post-processing of mechanical test data, including tension, torsion, and compression test. There is no consensus among researchers regarding the best test or the post-processing theory nor do adequate standards exist on the characterization methods. The tests are typically performed as customized tests, discrepancies exist in the flow curves obtained by different methods and the chosen mechanical test. More critically, the curves are dominantly treated (perceived) as a set of measured data rather than calculated values. The plasticity-based calculated flow curves and their gradients are, in turn, the basis for several second-tier indirect measurements, such as stacking fault energy and recrystallization. Such measurements are quite prone to errors due to oversimplified post-processing of the tests’ data and can only be experimentally verified in a qualitative or in an average fashion. Therefore, their findings are highly restricted by the limitations of each test, data type and post-processing method, and should be used carefully. This review examines some of the most commonly used data conversion methods and some recent developments in the field followed by recommendations. It will highlight the need to develop test rigs that can provide new data types and to provide advanced post-processing techniques for the indirect measurement.