Strain rate dependency of impact tensile properties in various commercial aluminum alloys

At present, there is no standard impact tensile and compression test method. In the present study, impact tensile tests for high strain rate range are carried out using the split-Hopkinson bar technique and the servo-hydraulic impact testing machine on ten kinds of commercial aluminum alloys. Stress-strain curves are measured for strain rate between 10^-4 and 10⁴s^-1 and strain rate dependency of tensile properties is investigated. All the aluminum alloys show an increase in 0.2% proof stress, ultimate tensile strength, elongation and reduction in area by increasing the strain rate. Stress-strain curves are of similar shape below strain rate of 10³s^-1 and a significant change in shape is observed with strain rate larger than 10³s^-1.