Stereological unfolding of the trivariate size-shape-orientation distribution of spheroidal particles with application

A new stereological method is presented which enables the unfolding of joint size-shape-orientation distribution of spheroidal particles in opaque materials. It is shown that this trivariate problem can be decomposed into a series of two simpler problems. The sampling is based on a vertical uniform random planar section. Besides the theoretical integral equations between distributions of planar and spatial parameters, a numerical solution is also described in detail. The method is applied to the study of damage initiation in Al-Si metal matrix composites. Weibull modelling of particle cracking is briefly discussed. Copyright (C) 1997 Acta Metallurgica Inc.