Dynamic recovery: The explanation for strain-softening behaviour in Zr–2.3Nb alloy

The strain-softening behaviour (SSB) in Zr–2.3Nb alloy was investigated. The results showed that dynamic recovery was the reason for SSB during the deformation process. With an increasing strain rate ε˙ SSB appeared increasingly easily with a critical value of 10−2 s−1. At a fixed ε˙ the work-hardening rate had an inversely proportional relationship with ρ1/2. SSB appeared more easily during tension deformation than compression deformation due to the greater difficulty in dislocation movement under external compressive stress.