Abstract:This work investigates the interplay between inertia and strain induced martensitic transformation (SIMT) on necking inception and energy absorption in dynamically stretched cylindrical rods. For that task a linear stability technique, derived within a quasi-1D framework and specifically accounting for SIMT, has been developed. Likewise, finite element simulations have been performed, using a specific constitutive equation to consider SIMT. Stability analysis and numerical simulations demonstrate that, at high strain rates, inertia may take the dominant role in stabilizing the material, on top of the transformation hardening effects. Furthermore, under certain loading conditions the martensitic transformation may penalize either ductility or energy absorption capacity.