Experimental behavior and fracture prediction of a novel high-strength and high-toughness steel subjected to tension and shear loading tests

In this study, laboratory testing and numerical simulation methods are used to investigate the mechanical behavior and perform fracture prediction of a novel high-strength and high-toughness steel with a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) effect under combined tensile-shear loading conditions. A test device capable of meeting different tensile-shear combination test angles is designed and manufactured, wherein the mechanical experiments on the NPR (Negative Poisson's Ratio) steel specimens are carried out at various testing angles. Q235 steel and MG400 steel are used as experimental control groups. The results show that the mechanical deformation of NPR steel is significantly better than that of Q235 steel and MG400 steel. Its tensile-shear test curve has no yield plateau and it has quasi-ideal elastic-plastic mechanical properties. The loading direction gradually changes from tension-dominated to shear-dominated as the tension-shear angle increases, and the strength and deformation of the specimens show a decreasing trend. Based on the laboratory test results, a finite element numerical model of NPR steel is established. A series of numerical simulations are carried out under the conditions of different tension and shear angles and the average stress triaxiality and fracture strain data are obtained. The fracture data of NPR steel are fitted using the Johnson-Cook fracture criterion, and the Johnson-Cook fracture parameters under the tensile-shear test conditions of NPR steel are thus obtained. The numerical simulation verifies that the fracture model can accurately predict the tensile-shear fracture behavior of NPR steel. • A noval high-strength and high-toughness steel called NPR steel is introduced. • The mechanical behavior of NPR steel under combined tension and shear is studied. • A tensile-shear fracture prediction model for NPR steel is established.