The adiabatic shear bands of U-5.7Nb at high strain rate

Split-Hopkinson pressure bar testing and microscopy were used to determine the dynamic mechanical properties and the microstructure in the strain rate range of 102-104/s for U-5.7Nb alloy samples. The experimental results showed that the dynamic yield strengths were higher than corresponding static values, and the failure was sensitive to the strain rate. Microscopic examinations revealed that the breaking (or breakdown) of specimen frequently occurred along the shear band at the strain rate of 4300/s and stress of 64%. A hemicyclic shear band appeared on the transverse section of the specimens, and this could be determined by analyzing the stress distribution.