Validation of void growth models using X-ray microtomography characterization of damage in dual phase steels

In situ tensile tests were carried out during X-ray microtomography imaging of three steels: a single phase ferritic steel, a dual phase steel and a fully martensitic steel. Cavity growth was first quantified in the different samples as a function of strain and triaxiality. The Rice and Tracey model, a version of this model corrected by Huang, and a third version accounting for the cavity shape were then used to predict void growth evolution. It was experimentally demonstrated that for steels Huang's correction is a real improvement to the original Rice and Tracey model. Some differences in the void growth kinetic are discussed, accounting for the microstructure and the mechanical behavior of each steel. (C) 2011 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.