An interpretation of inelastic birefringence

The relationship between plastic thickness change and plastic isochromatics occurring beyond the plostic tensile instability point of a uniaxial tensile specimen is investigated. Mechanical thickness-change measurements and a hologram of thickness change are shown to be in close qualitative agreement with isochromatics in a region of gross plastic yielding. Analytical observations are discussed to aid the interpretation of the experimental results obtained. Finally, possible extensions and applications are discussed.