Tensile characterization of a lead alloy: creep induced strain rate sensitivity

Abstract

The aim of this work is to investigate and define the tensile properties of cable sheathing lead alloy. In particular its strain rate sensitivity due to the pronounced creep already present at room temperature, in relation to the material work hardening and processing is object of study. Therefore, a series of specimens have been manufactured using cable sheathing of three different extrusion thicknesses and tested in displacement control at different strain rates. The practical difficulties generated by the highly plastic behavior have been overcome by the use of Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique as a tool for measuring the strain field on the specimen surface. The creep behavior has been described, modeled and calibrated using Isight and finally implemented in the FEA code Abaqus. Two different numerical models have been used for modelling the time dependent deformation, a power law and the Anand model. The first predict correctly the response of the alloy in the primary creep region while the second shows better results for secondary creep.