Dynamic Necking of Notched Tensile Bars: An Experimental Study

The mechanics of necking inception in dynamically-stretched notched specimens have been investigated. For that task, a systematic experimental campaign of quasi-static and dynamic tensile tests on martensitic steel specimens has been conducted. Samples with and without notches have been considered. Unlike the quasi-static tests, the dynamically-tested notched samples revealed that, under certain loading conditions, flow localization may develop away from the groove. The experimental results presented in this investigation show that the presence of sharp geometrical imperfections in ductile materials subjected to dynamic loading does not necessarily dictate the necking and fracture locus.