Off-Axis Torsion Tests on Tubular Specimens of Steel

In order to analyze the anisotropic hardening behavior of metals, an off-axis torsion test by combined loading is developed. In this test, the maximum shear stress direction φ can be changed from 0 deg to 90 deg while the ratio of maximum and minimum principal stresses is kept at −1. With increasing angle φ, the yield stress of the torsional-prestrained steel decreases; the difference between the directions of the maximum shear stress and principal shear strain increment rises to a maximum value and then decreases. It is experimentally verified that anisotropy is more severe when a smaller offset strain is used in defining the yield stress.