A general model for metal plasticity

The statistical approach to the modeling of the microstructure evolution during plastic deformation of metals recently developed by one of the present authors (E. Nes, Modeling work hardening and stress saturation in FCC metals. Progr. Mater. Sci., in preparation; E. Nes, T. Pettersen and K. Marthinsen, Modeling substructure evolution and strengthening during deformation of FCC metals. Proc. Int. Conf. Therm-Mechanical Processing, Theory, Modeling and Practice. Stockholm, 1996) has been further developed and applied in the analysis of the work hardening behavior of copper. As demonstrated, the experimental observations are well accounted for by the model.