Insights into ductile failure at high velocity

This proposal seeks to provide for the first time direct visualization of the void growth rate during
dynamic tensile loading using ultrafast in-situ X-ray micro-imaging. Damage and failure in
ductile metals is governed by the growth of internal voids under tension, ultimately leading to the
coalescence of individual voids to form a macroscopic crack. Resolving this complex mechanism in-situ,
i.e., during a dynamic loading event, is a challenge since observing how microvoids grow and coalesce
is inherently elusive, as it transpires beneath the surface of non-transparent materials. Nevertheless,
understanding of this process holds paramount significance to accurately model metal behaviour
under extreme loading conditions. We aim to fill this gap using the world-unique combination
of sub-surface MHz imaging and high-rate mechanical loading methods available at ID19 to answer the question:
How does void growth rate depend on loading rate?