Problems of Mechanics of Metal Surface Layers

Mechanics of metal surface layers deals with a description of the following objects, quantities and processes: structures and mechanical properties of metal surface layers after a heat, chemical, electro-chemical or physical treatment; evolution of these structures and properties during mechanical treatments; mechanical behaviour of the layers during exploitation processes. This branch of mechanics is based on the results of physical investigations, but it uses a mechanical approach. In the paper, descriptions of metal surface layers within the classical anisotropic plasticity, large strain plasticity, and finally, the crystal and polycrystal plasticity are recalled. Problems connected with a formulation of laws governing a surface layer behaviour are comprehensively discussed.