Relaxation mechanism of plastic deformation and its justification using the example of the sharp yield point phenomenon in whiskers

The generality of the dynamic approach to a wide range of problems of the continuum mechanics, including deformation at the rates determining quasi-static deformation conditions has been demonstrated using the example of deformation of cadmium and copper whiskers. The sharp yield point phenomenon has been analyzed in terms of the theory of dislocations and phenomenological integrated criteria of plasticity. It has been shown that the characteristic relaxation times used in these criteria, regardless of the applied model of plasticity, reflect essential properties of the very deformation process itself.