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Imaging of the Microstructural Failure Mechanism in the Human Hip

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Femtosecond quantification of void evolution during rapid material failure.

James Coakley¹, Andrew Higginbotham², David McGonegle³

¹Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL 33146, USA. jcoakley@miami.edu.

Science Advances

|December 17, 2020

Summary

High-velocity impacts cause material failure through void growth and coalescence. Ultrafast X-ray scattering techniques now enable nanoscale characterization of these high strain rate events in copper.

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A Virtual Simulation Experiment of Mechanics: Material Deformation and Failure Based on Scanning Electron Microscopy

A Virtual Simulation Experiment of Mechanics: Material Deformation and Failure Based on Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published on: January 20, 2023

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Astrophysics
Aerospace Engineering

Background:

Understanding high-velocity impact and material failure is crucial in multiple scientific fields.
Experimental quantification of material evolution during high strain rate events is challenging due to short timescales.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate deformation and failure mechanisms in copper under high strain rate conditions.
To develop and apply ultrafast X-ray scattering techniques for in situ nanoscale characterization.

Main Methods:

Copper foils were subjected to rapid straining using picosecond laser ablation.
In situ probing was performed using femtosecond X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) pulses.
Small-angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) monitored void distribution, and Wide-angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS) measured strain evolution.

Main Results:

Ultrafast SAXS and WAXS were simultaneously employed to characterize nanoscale evolution during high strain rate failure.
Observed failure mechanism involves void nucleation, growth, and coalescence.
Experimental data showed good agreement with molecular dynamics simulations.

Conclusions:

The study demonstrates the capability of ultrafast SAXS, complementing WAXS, for nanoscale characterization during high strain rate failure.
This technique significantly broadens the scope of scientific investigations possible with XFEL.
Void nucleation, growth, and coalescence are confirmed as the primary mechanisms for ultimate failure in this scenario.