A large strain rate effect in thin free-standing Al films

We present tensile tests of thin aluminum films under quasi-static, medium and high strain rates. A large strain rate effect is revealed, as the ultimate tensile strength increases by more than 400% compared to quasi-static tests. An analysis of the kinetic relation for plastic flow shows that all commonly used kinetic laws cannot explain our results. Instead, we suggest an newly elaborated kinetic law that is in good agreement with the results over the entire range of strain rates.