Application of synchrotron x-ray microtomography to investigate ductile fracture in Al alloys

The in situ high-resolution synchrotron x-ray computed microtomography has been applied to visualize and quantify the ductile fracture process of a notched Al alloy specimen. The three-dimensional (3D) investigation reveals that voids are nucleated, grow and coalesce more easily near the notch front and in the central region of the sample. These voids are mainly associated with Si particles in the eutectic (EU) phase. The 3D packing architecture of particles in the EU region, and the 3D morphology of alpha phase are also visualized. The feasibility of this technique highlights the potential of its application in the field of micromechanics-based fracture. (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics.