Some materials used to fabricate machines and structures have a strain rate dependence in their stress-strain characteristics at room temperature. In such materials, the deformation and strength depend on the loading velocity. We propose a noncontact evaluation technique using infrared thermography of macroscopic plastic deformation. To detect the heat generated during plastic deformation, an infrared thermal video system (TVS-2100) was employed. The relationship between the plastic deformation and temperature rise of the specimen surface was determined by analytical simulation of elasto/viscoplastic FE analysis coupled with transient heat conduction analysis. The experimental and numerical results are in good agreement, and the effect of the loading rate and the applicability of this evaluation technique by infrared thermography was demonstrated.
