Cyclic ratchetting of 1070 steel under multiaxial stress states

Cyclic ratchetting behavior of 1070 steel is studied under proportional and nonproportional loading with specific emphasis on the ratchetting rate decay mechanisms for large numbers of loading cycles. Under proportional loading, where the principal stress directions are unchanged, the ratchetting evolves in the mean stress direction. Under nonproportional loading, however, the ratchetting direction is determined by the loading path and can be different from the mean stress direction. The ratchetting rate decreases with increasing loading cycles, displaying a power law relationship with the number of loading cycles. The experimental ratchetting results indicate that under cyclic loading the material exhibits a tendency toward complying with a linear hardening rule with concomitant hysteresis loop closure. Based on the fundamental framework of plasticity theory and detailed evaluation of the stress-strain behaviors, the ratchetting can be classified into two basic types; Type I, which is identifiable with proportional loading where the ratchetting is due to the different values of the plastic modulus function at the symmetric loading points with respect to the mean stress state, and Type II, which represents nonproportional loading where the ratchetting is driven by the noncoincidence of the plastic strain rate vector and the translation direction of the yield surface (backstress rate vector). The Armstrong-Frederick-based plasticity models modified by Chaboche et al. and Bower are ill-suited for describing the experimental results of both types of ratchetting. The Ohno-Wang model, which introduces a threshold concept, can account for the ratchetting rate decay of Type II ratchetting, providing results that agree with experimental observations. Modification may be needed for the Ohno-Wang model so that the model can better describe Type I ratchetting.