Phenomenology of wave processes in a localized plastic flow

The motion of localized deformation sites in mono- and polycrystallites of metals and alloys is investigated experimentally at the stages of easy slip and linear strain hardening. The wave nature of localization of deformatio n at these stages of plastic flow is established, and the velocity of waves and their dispersion relation are determined. The scale effect and the dep endence of the localized deformation wavelength on the grain size are inves tigated. A qualitative interpretation of the results obtained is proposed. (C) 2001 MAIK "Nauka/Interperiodica".