Materials Research Lecture
X-ray synchrotron tomography provides a wonderful means of characterization damage in materials non-destructively. In this talk, I will describe experiments and simulations that address the critical link between microstructure and deformation behavior, by using a three-dimensional (3D) virtual microstructure obtained by x-ray synchrotron tomography. The approach involves capturing the microstructure by novel and sophisticated in situ tensile testing in an x-ray synchrotron, followed by x-ray tomography and image analysis, and 3D reconstruction of the microstructure. Quantitative analysis and incorporation of the microstructure into a powerful finite element modeling code for simulation can also be conducted. Case studies on fundamental deformation phenomena in aluminum and tin-based materials will be presented and discussed.