Synchrotron radiation computed laminography is applied to the three-dimensional micro-imaging of damage in large polymer composite plates with high spatial resolution. The influence of different experimental conditions is studied with respect to measurement time optimization, dose minimization and reduction of artefacts in the reconstructed images. Failures like delaminations, transverse ply cr...

The initiation and growth behavior of short fatigue cracks from the interfacial micro-notches in a SCS-6/Ti composite at various maximum applied stress levels were quantitatively characterized. Micro-notches in the interfacial reaction layer were induced by applying monotonic tensile loading prior to fatigue testing. The propagation and arrest behaviors of each individual crack were carefully m...

The role of grain bridging in affecting the initial rising portion of the R-curve and the transient, non-steady-state behavior of short cracks during (cyclic) fatigue-crack propagation has been quantitatively examined in a 99.5% pure alumina. Fatigue-crack growth properties for both long and short ( af < 2 mm) cracks emanating from machined notches (root radius, 15–150 m) were investigated, whe...

Solidification cracking is a key phenomenon associated with defect formation during welding. To elucidate the failure mechanisms, solidification cracking during arc welding of steel are investigated in situ with high-speed, high-energy synchrotron X-ray radiography. Damage initiates at relatively low true strain of about 3.1% in the form of micro-cavities at the weld subsurface where peak volum...

We used optical experiments and high-speed photography to interpret the origins of tensile fractures that form during dynamic shear rupture in laboratory experiments. Sub-Rayleigh (slower than the Rayleigh wave speed, cR) shear ruptures in Homalite-100 produce damage zones consisting of an array of tensile cracks. These cracks nucleate and grow within cohesive zones behind the tips of shear rup...

The origins of fractures in Martian boulders are unknown. Here, using Mars Exploration Rover 3D data products, we obtain orientation measurements for 1,857 cracks visible in 1,573 rocks along the Spirit traverse and find that Mars rock cracks are oriented in statistically preferred directions similar to those compiled herein for Earth rock cracks found in mid-latitude deserts. We suggest that M...