Strain rate dependent plasticity and fracture of DP1000 steel under proportional and non-proportional loading

To assess the effect of stress state and strain rate on damage and fracture of a commercial DP1000 steel with a very fine microstructure, an extensive series of tests were performed. Using finite element simulations, eight different sample geometries, including a dogbone, a central hole, a shear and several notched samples, were designed to achieve both proportional and non-proportional stress states using conventional test benches. Tested at quasi-static, intermediate and, dynamic deformation rates, in total 175 tests were performed. Local strain fields were obtained by digital image correlation. A correction procedure was worked out to eliminate the influence of thermal softening. After testing, scanning electron microscopy was employed to analyse the fracture surfaces. Tests and fractography allowed to draw systematic conclusions on the response of the DP1000 steel. A two-stage strain rate sensitivity of strength is found with a gradually increasing slope at low strain rates and a much steeper rise at high strain rates, which is further amplified at higher triaxiality stress states. The experimentally derived fracture loci revealed a dominant, detrimental impact of the stress triaxiality that is most pronounced at intermediate strain rates. A remarkable, non-monotonic evolution of the fracture strain with strain rate is observed: the highest values were obtained at intermediate rates. Scanning electron microscopy images of the fracture surfaces indicate a void-assisted ductile fracture, though with the occurrence of brittle features triggered at dynamic strain rates. Fracture morphology and dimple features are heavily dependent on stress state, strain rate and loading path