The objectives of the present investigation are to characterize the high strain rate (≅ 104s-1) plastic flow behaviour of a number of metals and alloys and also to compare the dynamic flow behaviour with that at static strain rates (≅ 10-2 s-1). Such a comparison has provided information on the strain-rate sensitivity of both the flow stress and the strain-hardening rate for a number of pure metals, solid solutions and dispersion-strengthened alloys. On the basis of the present work, qualitative conclusions have been inferred on the effect of strain rate on the resistance offered by various types of thermally activatable obstacles to dislocation motion. © 1994.