Comparative numerical study of rate-dependent continuum-based plasticity models for high-velocity impacts of copper particles against a substrate

Abstract

The problem of high-rate elastic-plastic deformation of micro-sized copper particles impacting against a copper substrate was investigated by applying the continuum-based formulation and finite element thermomechanical analysis. Comparative study of selected plasticity models was performed. The aim of the paper was to study strain rate-dependant plasticity for a wide range of strain rates. The strain-rate-dependant Johnson-Cook and Cowper-Symonds models were studied by comparing displacements, velocities, strains, strain rates, stresses, contact forces, and temperatures and their contribution to material yield stress. The study shows the importance of the high-strain rate yielding model and its adequacy for experimental data. Both models complement each other and may be regarded as soft and hard bounds of the solution. A new, combined, two-function model, containing two independent functions for each of the two ranges, is suggested. The proposed model describes a low strain rate sensitivity range using the Johnson-Cook expression, while allows fitting of the model for experimental results in a high strain rate sensitivity range, using a modified Cowper-Symonds expression. This combination is capable of describing both low and high strain rate regimes, giving the minimum deviation from experimental results.