Stress–strain curve prediction strategy based on instrumented indentation test using master curve of SS316 stress–strain curve

A full stress–strain (SS) curve is an important material property for characterizing mechanical behavior. It can be obtained directly from conventional uniaxial tensile tests. It can also be predicted from the load-displacement curve obtained from an instrumented indentation test (IIT). To predict the SS curves, the IIT can use iterative finite element analysis (FEA) of the indentation process using a constitutive model, such as a power-law constitutive model. To overcome the issue of idealizing the SS curves with the power-law constitutive model, the concept of SS curve estimation using a master SS curve for specific materials was proposed in our previous study. In this study, a master curve was derived using various SS curves for SS316. A case study was conducted, and then the robustness and effectiveness of the SS curve prediction method using a master curve was evaluated. Consequently, the error using the master curve of SS316 was found to be negligible to the IIT behavior but significantly improved the accuracy of SS curve prediction compared to the power-law constitutive model.