Measurement of 3-D strain distribution by means of high-resolution X-ray CT image and tracking of microstructural features

Measurement of interior strain distribution has been developed based on the synchrotron radiation computed tomography (SR-CT). In metal deformation, local strain distribution differs from macroscopic strain due to microstructural factors such as grains, grain boundaries, particles, pores, voids, and cracks. A model sample, which was made from a copper alloy strengthened with alumina, was prepared containing artificial pores. Tensile loading was applied to the sample step by step. High-resolution tomographic experiment was performed at the third-generation synchrotron radiation facility (SPring-8) in Japan. Gravity center position, volume and surface area in the pores, which were regarded as markers in a tracking procedure, were measured by 3-D digital image analysis in the SR-CT images. The markers before and after the deformation were provided for registration and macroscopic strain correction before the tracking procedure. The marker tracking was carried out by means of matching parameter that was described as functions of distance, volume and surface at markers. The ratio of success tracking was evaluated in order to clarify whether the tracking method developed in this study was reliable. The 3-D strain distribution was represented successfully by the tracking results. A combination of high-resolution SR-CT and tracking of microstructural features is effective to visualize interior strain distribution in materials in 3-D.