Mechanical properties

This chapter investigates the effects of cryogenic temperatures on the mechanical properties of metals and alloys. Only macroscopically homogenous materials are studied. Topics considered include the temperature of strengthening and flow, the basic mechanism of plastic flow in crystalline solids, thermal and athermal contributions to strength, crystal structure effects, strain hardening, solution strengthening, athermal strengthening by grain boundaries and precipitates, strain-rate effects, tensile properties, serrated stress-strain curves, twinning, martensitic transformations, yield points, the Cottrell-Stokes law, work softening, toughness, fatigue, and creep. The materials examined include copper and copper alloys, aluminium and aluminium alloys, austenitic stainless steels, titanium and titanium alloys, iron and iron alloys, polymers, and glass