Modeling the superplastic behavior of Mg alloy sheets under tension using a continuum damage theory

The present paper is concerned with the modeling of superplasticity phenomenon in tensile tests of Mg alloy sheets using a continuum damage theory. The goal is to propose a one-dimensional phenomenological model, as simple as possible, able to perform a physically realistic description of strain hardening, strain softening, strain rate sensitivity and damage (nucleation and growth of voids) observed in tensile tests performed at different strain rates. Examples concerning the modeling of tensile tests of AZ31 Mg alloy sheets at different strain rates are presented and analyzed. They show a very good agreement between experimental results and model prevision.