An unfolding procedure for estimation of three-dimensional bivariate size-orientation distribution of microcracks Original Research Article

Microstructural damage evolution often involves formation and growth of microcracks. Therefore, quantitative characterization of microcrack populations is of interest. In this contribution, a practical and efficient methodology is presented for estimation of three-dimensional bivariate size-orientation distribution of microcracks. The methodology is based on the stereological relationship developed earlier, which involves statistical sampling of microcrack traces observed in the vertical metallographic sections. The practical application of the procedure is demonstrated via estimation of three-dimensional bivariate size-orientation distribution of microcracks in the constituent intermetallic particles in Al-Mg and Al-Mg-Si base alloys under uniaxial tensile and compressive loading conditions. The data clearly reveal the effects of loading condition (tension vs. compression) on the microcrack distributions.