On the Thermal Expansion Coefficient and Specific Heat at Constant Strain for Finite Plastic Deformation

Abstract

General expressions for thermal expansion coefficient and specific heat at constant strain in the case of finite plastic deformation are derived from a general analysis of thermodynamics and finite plasticity theory. The present results show that these two thermal parameters are dependent, in a very complicated way, on the mechanical behavior of the material, such as the plastic yielding and flow, work-hardening and stress-strain relation. They are not constants but vary with the stress state, deformation state, and deformation history. It is shown that previously published experimental observations on thermal expansion coefficient can be described by the theory presented in this paper.