摘要: Abstract When ductile materials are tested in simple shear, with moderate amounts of compressive stress on the shear plane, what appears to be negative strain hardening occurs at relatively large strains. These results apparent contradiction commonly held views that metals harden without saturation highest values and plane does not influence flow stress. A new mechanism plastic is presented involves formation rewelding or microcracks limited extent surfaces. Possible applications theory metal cutting geological events briefly discussed.