A modified Johnson–Cook model of dynamic tensile behaviors for 7075-T6 aluminum alloy

•The dynamic mechanical behaviors at various strain rates were measured.•The strain rate hardening effect of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy is significant.•A new Johnson–Cook constitutive model of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy was obtained.•Numerical simulations of tensile tests at different rates were conducted.•Accuracy of the modified Johnson–Cook constitutive equation was proved. The dynamic mechanical behaviors of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy at various strain rates were measured by dynamic tensile tests using the electronic universal testing machine, high velocity testing system and split Hopkinson tensile bar (SHTB). Stress–strain curves at different rates were obtained. The results show that the strain rate hardening effect of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy is significant. By modifying the strain rate hardening term in the Johnson–Cook constitutive model, a new Johnson–Cook (JC) constitutive model of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy was obtained. The improved Johnson–Cook model matched the experiment results very well. With the Johnson–Cook constitutive model, numerical simulations of tensile tests at different rates for 7075-T6 aluminum alloy were conducted. According to tensile loading and stress–strain relation of 7075-T6 aluminum alloy, calculation results were compared with experimental results. Accuracy of the modified Johnson–Cook constitutive equation was further proved.