Practical Considerations in Determining High Strain Rate Material Properties

Material testing standards for quasi-static rates are relatively well established. The increasing need for high strain rate material properties is now focusing the engineering community's attention on the test methods used to generate data. Differences in procedures and analysis may yield information in apparent conflict with other published data. The lack of industrial standards for high strain rate testing makes it vital that the end-user understands the valid applications and limitations of high strain rate material data. Current test methods, proper specimen selection, strain measurement methods, data analysis techniques, and interpretation of high strain rate data are reviewed.