A stress-strain curve has been obtained for the atomic lattice of mild steel subjected to compression. A set of atomic planes is selected of which the spacing is practically perpendicular to the direction of the stress, and the change in spacing is measured as the magnitude of the applied stress is systematically varied. The behaviour of the lattice is compared with the corresponding stress-strain relation for the external dimensions in the compression test, and also with the lattice stress-strain curve previously obtained for the same material when subjected to tensile stress. Other experiments are described on the behaviour of the lattice of pure iron in compression. It had been previously shown that at the external yield in tension, the atomic spacing exhibited an abrupt change which remained indefinitely on removal of the stress; the effect was interpreted as a lattice yield point. The present work establishes that the lattice possesses a yield point also in compression, again marking the onset of a permanent lattice strain. The direction of this strain, however, is opposite to that found in tension, and the magnitude increases systematically with the applied stress. The experiments on the pure iron show that under extreme deformation the permanent lattice strain tends to a limit and that with continued deformation partial recovery from the strain may occur. The results suggest that the mechanics of the metallic lattice involve the principle that, after the lattice yield point, in a given direction the lattice systematically assumes a permanent strain in such a sense as to oppose the elastic strain induced by the applied stress.
Identifying the stress–strain curve of materials by microimpact testing. Application on pure copper, pure iron, and aluminum alloy 6061-T651
