Strain path change effects in the local necking of aluminum sheet and in the tension of internally pressurized tubes

It is possible to increase significantly the uniform elongation achieved in the uniaxial tension of commercial purity aluminum by accelerating the testing rate. This effect is linked to a significant rate sensitivity of strain hardening. However, very little increase in the strains associated with the final stages of localization in sheet specimens were achieved by this means. The importance of the change in strain rate and path on local necking has been investigated by introducing path changes of appropriate magnitudes in tubular tensile specimens by internal pressurization. The path change led to a decrease in strain-hardening rate which was not compensated for by an increase in strain rate. The potential consequences of this effect upon ductility in sheets are significant and limit the potential usefulness of any rate sensitivity of strain hardening in increasing formability.