A theoretical calculation of the stored energy in a work-hardened material

Abstract

The amount of energy stored in a cold-worked material is calculated on the assumption that the energy is due to piled-up groups of dislocations. It is found that a small percentage of the work done in deformation is stored, and that the amount of energy stored is proportional to the strain. These predictions are in reasonable agreement with the experimental results, particularly for large strains. For smaller strains it is possible that much of the stored energy is due to the formation of vacancies and interstitial atoms. The model assumed also accounts for the observed release of stored energy before softening of the metal takes place.