Challenges Associated With the Quantitative Analysis of Ductile Damage Using X-Ray Computed Tomography

We have recently reported on the mechanistic differences in ductile failure between stainless steel manufactured by hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and forging, from which it was established that the oxygen concentration must be properly controlled. As part of an ongoing investigation into the mechanics of ductile failure in novel HIP materials, X-ray CT has been employed as a tool to quantify and characterize the differences in ductile damage below the fracture surface of failed compact tension fracture toughness test specimens. Herein we report on some of the challenges associated with handling data relative to the fracture surface, which can extend far into the cores under investigation.