A simple hardening rule accounting for time-dependent behavior in Al–Mg–Si alloys

The present work deals with the development of a simple but efficient hardening rule for Al–Mg–Si alloys taking into account the evolution of mechanical response with time when tests are interrupted. The new hardening rule is derived from the classical Swift law through a time dependent hardening exponent. The model predicts accurately the evolution of the stress level with the sitting period as well as other phenomena such as the strain hardening rate stagnation after reloading and critical values of time dependence initiation.