One of the most successful models for describing the Portevin-Le Chatelier effect in engineering applications is the Kubin-Estrin-McCormick model (KEMC). In the present work, the influence of dynamic strain ageing on dynamic recovery due to dislocation annihilation is introduced in order to improve the KEMC model. This modification accounts for additional strain hardening rate due to limited dislocation annihilation by the diffusion of solute atoms and dislocation pinning at low strain rate and/or high temperature. The parameters associated with this novel formulation are identified based on tensile tests for a C-Mn steel at seven temperatures ranging from 20 • C to 350 • C. The validity of the model and the improvement compared to existing models are tested using 2D and 3D finite element simulations of the Portevin-Le Chatelier effect in tension.

Serrated flow has been observed during non monotonic tensile tests of an Al-Cu aluminium alloy in the naturally aged state. The associated propagative localization bands were observed by digital image correlation (DIC). In particular, the Portevin-Le Chatelier (PLC) effect and also Lüders bands were observed in interrupted tests during which the specimen was held for a length of time and also in tests with partial unloading followed by a holding time. Increasing strain rate jumps also triggered the PLC effect. These observations indicate the existence of the PLC effect in this material which was formerly considered insensitive to it at room temperature under monotonic loading conditions. There is no evidence of PLC serrations during constant strain rate tests. A strain ageing finite element model is used that captures the experimentally found PLC triggering effects.