Computer-assisted evaluation of stress and time parameters of serrated flow in mild steel

Serrated flow in a mild steel was examined with the help of a computerized evaluation procedure. The characteristic properties of stress drops (their sizes and duration) were recorded, showing their dependence on temperature, strain rate and strain and then analyzed. It was shown that the relations between these characteristics in this interstitial b.c.c. alloy are comparable to those in the substitutional f.c.c. or b.c.c. alloys. Previous explanations for the strain dependence of stress drops are found inadequate. A new explanation applicable to all alloy systems is proposed.