If we calculate the strain hardening coefficient using the equation stress=K*strain^n, what do the terms K and n imply. I understand what their definition is and how to calculate them, but what is their physical significance. If we plot standard stress-strain curves on the same graph, is it possible to speculate as to which material has higher n or k? This is in context of polymer composites which show plastic deformation without macroscopic necking.

For ex, from fig 5 of this article

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/bm800038n