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Quantifying yield behaviour in metals by X-ray nanotomography
M Mostafavi1, R Bradley2, D E J Armstrong3
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Queen's Building, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TR, UK.
Scientific Reports
|October 5, 2016
Summary
This study introduces a novel method using X-ray nano-tomography and digital volume correlation to measure strain hardening in materials. This technique overcomes limitations of traditional nanoindentation for characterizing plastic properties.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Nanoindentation is standard for measuring elastic modulus and yield strength at small scales.
- Measuring strain hardening, crucial for ductility and toughness, is challenging with conventional nanoindentation.
- Load-displacement data alone lacks uniqueness for determining plastic properties like stress-strain behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and apply a novel method for accurately measuring strain hardening using nanoindentation.
- To overcome the limitations of traditional nanoindentation in characterizing plastic material properties.
- To investigate the plastic properties of nano-structured oxide dispersion strengthened steel for nuclear applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized X-ray nano-tomography to capture 3D images of the indentation zone.
- Applied digital volume correlation (DVC) to the tomographs to map the sub-surface displacement field.
- Combined nanoindentation with DVC to derive plastic material properties, including strain hardening.
Main Results:
- Successfully measured the sub-surface displacement field beneath a nanoindentation.
- Obtained plastic properties, specifically strain hardening, which are difficult to determine with standard nanoindentation.
- Characterized the mechanical behavior of a nano-structured oxide dispersion strengthened steel.
Conclusions:
- 3D displacement field mapping via DVC of X-ray nano-tomographs provides a unique solution for material plastic properties.
- This novel method enables accurate characterization of strain hardening, a critical but hard-to-measure property.
- The technique is suitable for evaluating materials like advanced steels for nuclear energy, potentially simulating neutron damage effects.
