Evaluation of impact ductile fracture behaviour of low carbon austenitic stainless steel SUS304L using damage mechanics model

To clarify the applicability of the Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman (GTN) model for impact ductile fracture behaviour, SHB test was reproduced by finite element analysis (FEA). The strain-rate dependence of the strength for austenitic stainless steel JIS SUS304L was obtained by tensile tests at quasi-static strain rate and impact strain rate. The CowperSymonds power law, which takes into the strain-rate dependence of strength, and the GTN model implemented in the commercial FEA code were used to simulate for impact ductile-fracture behaviour. GTN model parameters were determined by minimizing the difference between the simulated and measured stress-strain curve using response surface method. SHB test was simulated using GTN model obtained from quasi-static tensile test result. Simulation results did not occur the necking and fracture on the specimen. The fracture surfaces were observed by SEM micrograph. The appearance of ductile fracture since dimples are observed, regardless of the strain rate. It is necessary to adjust the parameter to accelerate the nucleation of the void. By identifying the GTN parameters in consideration of the strain rate dependence including impact strain rate. It would be possible to improve the simulation accuracy of impact ductile fracture behaviour.