Correlation of tensile test properties with those predicted by the shear punch test

In the development of experimental alloys having sufficient material to do a standard tensile test procedure is not always possible. Thus in this work, we have evaluated the ability of the shear punch test to predict the strength and ductility of materials in place of the tensile test. This correlation study was carried out experimentally using six different alloys, and validated using finite element modelling. Both the experimental and modelling data confirmed that the yield point and ultimate tensile stress can be accurately elucidated from the shear punch data. However, the punch displacement at failure was found to be a function of both the ductility of the material and its work hardening rate. Although corrections were developed using the FE simulations which satisfactorily predicted tensile ductility from to the simulated shear punch displacement, back extrapolation of the tensile ductility from experimentally measured shear punch tests were not possible. It was concluded that the shear punch test suitable for determining the strength of a material, but not able to be used to infer the equivalent tensile ductility due to both experimental error in determining the point of failure as well as the interdependence of the punch displacement on multiple material properties. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.