Autowave Mechanics of Plastic Flow

The notions of plastic flow localization are reviewed here. It have been shown that each type of localized plasticity pattern corresponds to a given stage of deformation hardening. In the course of plastic flow development a changeover in the types of localization patterns occurs. The types of localization patterns are limited to a total of four pattern types. A correspondence has been set up between the emergent localization pattern and the respective flow stage. It is found that the localization patterns are manifestations of the autowave nature of plastic flow localization process, with each pattern type corresponding to a definite type of autowave. Propagation velocity, dispersion and grain size dependence of wavelength have been determined experimentally for the phase autowave. An elastic-plastic strain invariant has also been introduced to relate the elastic and plastic properties of the deforming medium. It is found that the autowave’s characteristics follow directly from the latter invariant. A hypothetic quasi-particle has been introduced which correlates with the localized plasticity autowave; the probable properties of the quasi-particle have been estimated. Taking the quasi-particle approach, the characteristics of the plastic flow localization process are considered herein.