Assessment of damage and fracture behaviors in a cast aluminum alloy via in-situ synchrotron microtomography

High resolution phase contrast imaging technique has been applied to obtain clear crack images together with the detailed of microstructural features in a cast aluminum alloy. Crack opening/closure, crack extension and damage evolution in the vicinity of a crack-tip is observed three-dimensionally (3-D). 3-D image analysis is performed to evaluate void initiation and growth near the crack-tip. The information on physical displacement of each microstructural feature is provided for analyzing local crack driving forces at crack front. This technique has been identified to provide a unique possibility to quantitatively interpret the 3-D cracking behavior in bulk materials.