In-situ synchrotron-radiation computed laminography observation of ductile fracture

Abstract

Synchrotron-radiation computed laminography (SRCL) allows for imaging at high resolution (∼ 1 μm) and in three dimensions objects that are thin (∼ 1 mm) but extended laterally in two dimensions. This represents a major advantage over computed tomography in terms of loading conditions that can typically only investigate samples elongated in one direction. Here SRCL is used to observe ductile crack initiation and propagation in high strength aluminium alloy sheet for aerospace applications. Several load steps are applied and permit us to follow the changes of damage and crack path. An attempt is made to measure strains via a digital volume correlation technique.