Fractal dimension as a characteristic of deformation stages of austenite stainless steel under tensile load

A technique for defining the fractal dimension of the deformed specimen is considered by using surface relief images obtained from a scanning electron microscope. By subjecting the austenitic stainless steel specimen to a step-wise increase in load, the fractal dimension is observed. Surface mesostructure could be characterized by discrete fractal dimension. The spectrum of the fractal data agrees with the self-affinity function calculated from the universal material constant. A correlation is established between the step-wise increase in the fractal dimension and the specific energies dissipated in the deformed specimen. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.