The detection of plastic flow propagation based on the temperature gradient

Abstract

Heat generation during the dynamic loading and plastic flow process in material is the basic of theory of plasticity. The infrared thermography based on the middle wave camera provides tracking the thermal phenomena in material associated with the plastic flow during the dynamic loads process. The temperature gradient has been applied to track the heat propagation direction and consequently plastic flow in materials and structures. Closed cell aluminum metal foam, foamed within a structural member, is evaluated as an energy absorber. The thermographic approach enabled to trace and evaluate energy absorption performances of hollow structural members with metal foam filler material.